Daijiworld Media Network - Kasargod
Kasargod, Apr 10: The construction of the 400 kV Udupi–Karindalam power line, aimed at resolving electricity issues in North Malabar, has reached its final stage in the district.
Out of the 47 km stretch passing through the district, stringing work has been completed for 35 km. Work on the remaining 12 km, which passes through forest areas in Enmakaje and Munnad villages, is currently in progress. The construction company aims to complete the stringing work within this month.
Meanwhile, delays are expected in the installation of the line as work on the 68 km stretch in Karnataka is yet to reach even halfway completion. The total length of the power corridor from Udupi to Karindalam in Kasargod is 115 km. Of this, 47 km lies in the district, while the remaining 68 km falls within Karnataka. There are a total of 180 towers from Udupi to the district border, of which construction of 115 towers has been completed.
Foundation work for 50 towers is currently underway, while construction of 15 towers is yet to begin. The installation of the line can be carried out only after completion of all tower works. Although the target is to complete the line installation by the end of this year, it depends on the progress of work in Karnataka.
Officials said that issues related to land acquisition compensation and other concerns were the main reasons for delays in Karnataka. However, with clarity emerging on these issues, opposition has subsided and work is now progressing at a faster pace.
The project aims to transmit power from the Udupi central power station grid to the Karindalam substation in Kasargod. Construction of the Karindalam power station has already been completed, and work on the line between Karindalam and Wayanad is currently in progress. Once completed, the project is expected to resolve power issues from Kasargod to Wayanad.
Advanced aerial stringing technology using drones is being employed to pull platinum rope, which is then used to draw the pilot wire. The line consists of two circuits with a total of six phases. A total of 26 lines, including 24 conductors along with an optical fibre cable at the top and an earth wire, are being strung. Towers of 46 metres in height have been constructed, with a distance of 400 to 500 metres between each tower.