Central official meets Vayalkilikal

An official of the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) began his two-day visit at Keezhattur on Thursday to study the environmental issues raised by local residents, under the aegis of ‘Vayalkilikal,’ in connection with the proposed bypass as part of the NH-66 development in the region. The alignment was finalised by the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI).

John Thomas, Research Officer of the Ministry, heard residents’ complaints against the proposed bypass. He also met local environmental activists who fear that the bypass would destroy paddy fields and cause serious environmental degradation. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) State president Kummanam Rajasekharan met Mr. Thomas at Keezhattur in the afternoon.

Mr. Thomas said that he would submit the status report to the Ministry in a couple of days.

Mr. Thomas also met Nirmal Zade, National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) Project Director, Kozhikode division, and officials of the Public Works Department, Revenue Department and Pollution Control Board on the first day of his visit.

Documents submitted

Among those who met the official were agitation leader Suresh Keezhattur and other members of Vayalkilikal, and local activists.

Mr. Keezhattur said the Vayalkilikal submitted to the official documents highlighting the environmental significance of Keezhattur’s paddy fields. He said the official agreed to hold a discussion with the Vayalkilikal on Friday morning.

After meeting the official, Mr. Rajasekharan told reporters that the BJP wanted the bypass alignment, which he said would destroy the paddy fields of Keezhattur, changed.

No development was possible by destroying basic facilities for the people such as food, water, soil, jobs, and shelter. Any destruction of paddy fields in the State would lead to further depletion of groundwater table, he added.