KUTTAMPUZHA:For a kid of this hamlet, Kochi’s most-modern Metro Rail, its shining shopping malls or the trendy IT parks are not needed to leave him awestruck. Just a shining bulb on a mast will do. And if he hides his face in his palms in wonder, the stinking smell of kerosene may bring him back to the reality that he and hundreds of others in his neighbourhood are lagging years behind in comparison with even a layman in the city.
Last June, the state government had declared Kerala as India’s first fully-electrified state, and that its each and every household was connected through power. But Kuttampuzha panchayat, located 60 km away from the city and bordering Idukki district, remains as a ‘dark’ blot on their tall claim. Its 1,000-odd people are yet to experience the power of electricity in their homes, forcing 200 tribal families, living in the dense forest, to depend on kerosene lamps.
“We don’t want to lead luxurious life of the people in the city. We’re asking only for the basic facilities. We had requested the MLAs, district collector and ministers several times to provide power supply to colonies like Kunjippara, Variyam, Thalavachapra and Thera. But even after several years, no steps have been taken. The government should do something about it,” said Alli, Kaanikkaran (the tribal leader).
“A few years ago, the Cochin Shipyard Ltd (CSL) had provided solar power to 75 families, but most them have stopped working,” added Kaanikkaran.
It is learnt the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) is currently working on a project to provide solar energy to every family settled in the dense forest, but the tribal people fear it would be a failure.
“Since it’s dense forest, getting enough sunlight for the panel may not be possible all the time. The CSL’s project had faced such a problem. The government should opt for underground cable to bring in power from outside. They shouldn’t be adamant on the solar project as it’ll be a sheer waste of money,” said Kaanthi, a panchayat member.KSEB officers told Express a few issues need to be sorted out first.
“The road to the colonies is through dense forest, and hence laying of underground cable is the only possible solution to provide power supply to houses in the area. But doing it through forest comes under the Forest Conservation Act, so a final decision can be taken only by the Centre. The onus is on the state government to approach them,” a KSEB officer said on condition of anonymity.