Date:26/07/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/07/26/stories/2007072654120300.htm

Kerala - Alappuzha

Cargo terminal project kicks up a row

Dennis Marcus Mathew

People’s representatives voice concern over the conduct of Nehru Trophy Boat Race

Environmentally sensitive area with fragile ecosystem, says MLA
All-party delegation to take up issue with the Centre

ALAPPUZHA: The proposed cargo terminal project near the Nehru Trophy Boat Race finishing point on Punnamada Lake here is once again at the centre of a controversy, with MPs and MLAs from the district vociferously opposing the project.

A day after Alappuzha MP K.S. Manoj and Mavelikara MP C.S. Sujatha met Union Minister T.R. Baalu voicing their concerns that the project would hinder smooth conduct of the Nehru Trophy Boat Race, Alappuzha MLA K.C. Venugopal raised the issue in the State Assembly on Wednesday.

Though Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan replied that the Inland Waterways Authority (IWA) had given an assurance that a separate route would be charted for cargo vessels on the day of the race, Mr. Venugopal says the issue will not end there.

“The boat race has been instrumental in earning Alappuzha a place on the international tourism map. Any move that hinders the smooth conduct of the annual event will adversely affect tourism prospects of the district as a whole,” he argues.

“Rehearsals and preparations for the race begin more than a week before the actual race. Can cargo vessels be diverted for that long a period? Moreover, there are environmental issues. The entire surroundings will undoubtedly be affected if a commercial cargo terminal comes up. And then, heavy container vehicles to the terminal will have to pass through a thickly populated area. The outcomes of such traffic in the long run are not at all encouraging for the environment,” the MLA told The Hindu. Mr. Venugopal also points out that the houseboat terminal near the terminal would have to be shifted somewhere deeper into Kuttanad, which would disturb the environmentally sensitive area and its fragile ecosystem. He says he is planning an all-party delegation to New Delhi to take up the issue with the Union Government. A mass movement involving people from all walks of life will have to come up from Alappuzha to oppose the project, he says.

“The previous UDF Government had suggested shifting the cargo terminal to Pallathuruthy. But the IWA still went ahead with all procedures, including land acquisition, for the project. The only way to stop this is the mass movement and a strong stand against the project by the LDF Government,” he says.