KOCHI: The revised fund allocation for the Meenachil River Valley project in the state budget is a clear indication that Finance Minister K M Mani wants to go ahead with the proposal that is supposed to serve the irrigation purpose of Pala and Irattupetta. But the local bodies in the neighbouring districts have come up with protest against the implementation of the project.The Meenachil River Valley project is a matter of great concern for the Kochi Corporation too as the civic representatives believe that its implementation is likely to affect the potable water project envisaged by it.At present, water from Moolamattom Power Station reaches the Malankara dam and from there it is diverted through the irrigation channels, Idathukara and Valathukara canals. These canals are also major sources of potable water to the various panchayats through which they flow. But those who oppose the Meenachil River Valley project claim that if a check dam is constructed at Arakkulam to divert the water to Meenachal river, it will affect the water level of the Thodupuzhayaar (Thodupuzha river). As Kothayaar, Kaliyar and Thodupuzhayaar are the major tributaries of Muvattupuzha river, the water level in the Muvattupuzha river will go down significantly once the Meenachil River Valley project is implemented. The decrease in the water level will adversely affect the Maradu Water Treatment Plant project of the Kochi Corporation which is expected to solve the potable water crisis in the city, especially the West Kochi area. As per the Rs 201 crore project, the source of water for the project is Pazhoorkkadavu on Muvattupuzha river.But those who oppose the project said that the budget allocation for the Meenachil River Valley project has been made as it was originally proposed by the then UDF Government in 2005 at an estimated cost of Rs 65 crore. But the LDF Government in 2006 dismissed the proposal stating that it is not viable.
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