Waterway project ill-conceived: Satheesan

Opposition leader inaugurates protest march to collectorate

Opposing the government’s decision to go ahead with creating an artificial inland waterway from Mahe to Valapattanam, several people staged a protest march to the Kannur collectorate on Tuesday.

The protesters walked with their cattle, carried chairs, tables, and beds to mark their protest. Socio-environmental activists and political leaders cutting across party lines took part in the march called Kudiyiraka Dhuridayatra, which was organised by the Anti Artificial Inland Waterway Committee.

Inaugurating the protest, Opposition Leader V.D. Satheesan said the government was going ahead with the project bypassing protocols. The project, which would displace people and create environmental destruction, had been approved without conducting a socio-environmental assessment study.