No green nod to stadium in Kochi

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Union environment Minister Jairam Ramesh on Monday said the proposed international cricket stadium in Kochi and the hydel power project in Athirappally cannot be given environment clearance. "The area earmarked for the project falls under the Coastal Regulation Zone-1," he told reporters after a high-level meeting with Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy and members of the state Cabinet. Blame the Kerala Cricket Association indirectly, Ramesh said mangrove has been destroyed at the site to make it appear as a CRZ-2 area.

Union agricutlure minister K V Thomas, an MP from Ernakulam Lok Sabha constituency which includes Kochi, said he would continue trying to see that the project materializes. Citing environmetal concerns, Ramesh also denied clearance to the proposed Athirappally hydel project saying it was located in a forest area. The 613 MW power project is supposed to come up along the basin of the Chalakkudy river in the Vazhachal division. During his Kerala visit, Ramesh also assured to look into the problems caused due to stopping of night travel through Bandipore Reserve Forest.