From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network
Pavagada (Tumkuru), Jun 14: Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar, accompanied by State Power Minister K J George, visited the Pavagada Solar Park in Tumkuru district on Wednesday. Shivakumar stated that the State Government is prepared to expand the project if the local community willingly offers the necessary land.
The Pavagada Solar Park, valued at nearly Rs 15,000 crore, is recognized as Asia's largest solar power project, generating 2400 MW of power annually.
Shivakumar, along with George and local MLA Venkatsh, visited the Solar Development Corporation. In a statement to reporters, Shivakumar mentioned that if local residents volunteer to provide the required land, the government is ready to propose an expansion of the project to the Central Government.
The deputy chief minister highlighted that several individuals who initially refused to part with their land for the solar power project during the Congress government led by Siddaramaiah, when he served as the Energy Minister, later approached him offering their lands. "At that time, I had to turn them away," he stated.
Shivakumar added that there have been requests from various areas to initiate solar power projects, which will be duly considered. He explained that the land title deeds would remain with the people, and they would receive an annual lease amount directly into their bank accounts.
There are demands from people in Kalaburgi, Raichuru, and other districts to commence solar power projects, which require 5000 to 10000 acres of land. These projects are intended for barren lands where cultivation is challenging or not feasible.
"If a large group of people come forward to offer land on a lease basis, we can consider their proposals. Officials will assess the lands' suitability and feasibility. We can then proceed to submit the proposals to the Central Government," he further added.
Shivakumar shared that he decided to join K J George on the visit to Pavagada upon hearing about his plans to inspect the solar power project.
Energy Department Additional Chief Secretary Gaurav Gupta, KPTCL MD Pankaj Kumar Pande, and other senior officials were also present. Former BJP minister M P Renkukacharya paid a visit to Shivakumar at his Bengaluru residence on Wednesday morning. Senior Congress leader R V Deshpande met the deputy chief minister last night and felicitated him.