THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala Cabinet has withdrawn the permission given to the twocontroversial eco tourism projects in the wake of court’s intervention and public criticism.
The two projects are Methran Kayal Tourism Project in Kumarakom near Kottayam and Kochi Medicity in the backwaters of Kochi. The decision is a setback to the investors and promoters of these projects.
The Government has decided to inform the Kerala High Court about its decision on the project. The court had staye
d filling of paddy and backwaters for the Methran Kayal tourism project the other day.
The Congress-led state government gave nod to these projects just before the end of its five-year term in power.
The permission granted by the state government to Chennai-based Rakindo Developers Pvt Limited to fill 376 acres of paddy field and backwaters known as Methran Kayal was in violation of the Kerala Conservation of Paddy Land and Wetland Act-2008. The High Court stayed the action on the basis of a petition filed by a farmer against the project.
The permission granted to the medical tourism project in Kadamakkudy, an island in the Ernakulam backwaters, was withdrawn following stiff opposition from the public and CPM.
The Project named Kochi Medi City is being promoted by Cochi Medi City and Tourism Pvt Ltd. The Doha-based promoters of the project had obtained permission from the Congress-led state government to reclaim 47 acres of paddy land in Kadamakudy panchayat.
The promoters planned to construct a hospital, an Ayurvedic spa and research centre, an international convention centre, star hotel complexes and apartments on the Kadamakkudy island.
