Kerala Cabinet withdraws controversial order on Metran Kayal

Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Cabinet withdrew the controversial order permitting implementation of and ecotourism project at Metran Kayal near Kumarakom and a hospital project at Kadamakkudy near Ernakulam by private parties.

The projects attracted much criticism as the project would involve reclamation of paddy fields (478 acres at Metral Kayal and 47 acres at Kadamakkudy).

However, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy maintained that no permission had been given for reclamation. The Kerala Conservation of Paddy Land and Wetland Act would have applied for the project.

The order was being withdrawn to avoid controversies, the Chief Minister told the media after Cabinet meeting.

Mr. Chandy said that the previous LDF government led by V. S. Achuthanandan had cleared the project and included it in the government’s action plan as Kumarakom Tourist Village Project. The project had since been modified. Hence, a fresh clearance had to be issued by the present government.

He said that no clearance for reclamation of land had been given for Samridhi village project in Chembur village of Vaikom taluk either.