Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (SM)

Udupi, May 2: The chief minister H D Kumaraswamy’s statement that the planned 1,015 MW coal-based Nagarjuna Thermal Power Project at Yellur near here would not have any bad affects was not true said MP Manorama Madhwaraj. 

Madhwaraj stated in a press release that Kumaraswamy should not impose projects on the people living in coastal districts. If the chief minister was bent on establishing Nagarjuna then the project must be shifted to Hassan.

The various reports have made it clear that a coal-based thermal power project was not suited to the coastal belt of the state as it may result in harm to the nature in general and Western Ghat in particular.

She also stated that the state government had failed to implement hydel power projects of 2’900 MW. Alternative sources of power such as solar, wind or tidal power have not been encouraged.

The government had also failed to address issues such as power theft and transmission losses which play a major role in shortage of power.

Madhwaraj said that Kumaraswamy should consider the consequences of the projects on the future generations and should refrain from forcing them in costal districts.