Tue May 06 21:03:08 UTC 2025: ## Kerala’s Controversial Athirappilly Hydroelectric Project Resurfaces
**THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, May 7, 2025** – The Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) has reignited controversy by proposing to redevelop the long-stalled Athirappilly hydroelectric project as a “tourism-friendly” initiative. The 163-megawatt project, first proposed in 1979, has faced decades of opposition due to environmental concerns and the potential displacement of indigenous communities.
While the KSEB claims the plan is for public debate and aims to combine power generation with tourism, environmental groups and local communities strongly criticize the move, alleging it’s a thinly veiled attempt to resurrect a damaging project. The project’s environmental clearance from 1998 hasn’t led to construction, due to persistent worries about its impact on the biodiversity-rich Western Ghats region, including the Athirappilly and Vazhachal waterfalls.
The KSEB’s announcement comes at a time when Kerala is rapidly transitioning to renewable energy sources, aiming for 100% renewable energy by 2040. The state is investing heavily in solar and wind power, raising questions about the relevance of the decades-old Athirappilly project, especially considering the availability of cleaner, less expensive alternatives.
The recent resurgence of natural disasters in Kerala further underscores the need for stringent environmental scrutiny of development projects, particularly in ecologically sensitive areas. The state government denies that the Athirappilly plan has political backing, but the controversy highlights the ongoing tension between development and environmental protection in the region.
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