Chitra V Ramani/The Hindu

• Official unsure about implementation of project 
• Revanna has announced that work will begin in April
• Environmental groups have opposed the project
• DPR submitted to Central Electricity Authority

Bangalore, Aug 18: Though Minister for Public Works and Energy H.D. Revanna has announced that work on the controversial Gundia hydroelectric project will begin in April 2007, officials are unsure about the project's implementation.

Speaking to The Hindu here on Wednesday, C.R. Ramesh, executive director (Consultancy and Design), Karnataka Power Corporation Ltd. (KPCL), said the project was yet to receive the clearances required. "Without the requisite sanctions, we cannot take any step. We have just tentatively announced that work will begin in April next year," he said.

The project is being opposed by various environmental organisations, which claim that it will upset the sensitive ecosystem of the Western Ghats.

S.M. Zafarulla, technical director, KPCL, said all structures except the reservoirs and weirs would be underground, which means that no important structures or monuments will be affected. A total of 687 hectares would be submerged.

The officials claimed that only 12 villages would be affected if the project were implemented.

H.A. Kishore, president of the Malenadu Janapara Horata Samiti, said the elephant corridor would be affected if the project were implemented. "There already is increasing man-animal conflict owing to shrinking forest cover in Hassan and Kodagu districts. Officials may claim that a major portion of the project is underground, but where do they propose to dump the debris," he asked.

In the second phase of the project, KPCL proposes to divert the Kumaradhara to the Bettakumbri for generating additional energy of about 385 million units.

Mr. Kishore said the diversion of the river would mean no water for the town of Kukke Subrahmanya.

But Mr. Ramesh said the town would have an assured supply of water and the diversion would not affect the town.

Five gram panchayats (Hongadahalla, Vanaguru, Hethuru, Ollahalli and Kukke Subrahmanya) have passed resolutions opposing the project. Religious leaders of Kukke Subrahmanya are also opposing it.

KPCL has now prepared a detailed project report (DPR) and rapid environment impact assessment (REIA). The DPR has been submitted to the Central Electricity Authority, Officials have also submitted the DPR and the REIA to the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB). The expert committee of the KSPCB is yet to go through the project.