Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, Jan 22: In the name of various development projects, several industries, pipelines, power projects etc have been stated in coastal Karnataka. Now, the people of the coast, who already are bearing the brunt of the side effects arising out of several such projects that have created problems for them, are facing another issue. Power generated at the Udupi Power Corporation Ltd's thermal power plant at Padubidri in Udupi district is now planned to be transmitted to Kerala via Kasargod. Power line is being created now for the purpose.

A person from Bantwal taluk, Bhaskar Upadhyaya, said that for the purpose, without giving any information to land owners, pits have been already dug in Kumki land belonging to certain individuals at Kollapadavu, Kepu village in Bantwal taluk. He added that survey work and road construction have also been done there. The pits are meant to fix transmission towers, he disclosed.

This project is aimed at meeting the power shortage faced by north Kerala and to reduce electricity load on the route connecting southern states. The project cost is about Rs 847 crore and the power line is of 400 kv capacity. Foundations will be laid at 310 places across Udupi, Dakshina Kannada and Kasargod districts through which the power line passes. Out of these, 127 towers will be in Kerala and 183 in Karnataka. The people living in villages through which the line passes are a worried lot now.

Dakshina Kannada district deputy commissioner Dr K V Rajendra, stated that a meeting will be convened and complaints received from the people will be examined. The people in the meanwhile, want that project implementation does not interfere with their peaceful and normal living.