Udupi: Minister Eshwarappa Inaugurates 220 KV Transmission Line of UPC
Report and Pics by Hemanath Padubidri
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (RD/SP)
Udupi, Sep 22: State energy minister K S Eshwarappa inaugurated 220 kilovolts electricity transmission network between Kemar, in Karkala taluk and Udupi Power Corporation (UPC) distribution network at Nandikoor, near here, on Tuesday September 22 morning. The inaugural function was held at Kemar sub station.
Minister Eshwarappa, speaking at the occasion, said that the state requires nearly 10,500 mega watts of electricity, out of which 7,000 mega watts are being generated through conventional means of energy resources. Meanwhile, the state has before it, the target of generating 9,000 mega watts of electricity through unconventional means. Several private enterprises specialized in generating electricity through unconventional means have expressed their interest, in executing these power plants. Various permissions granted to 58 companies in the past for power generation, have so far been cancelled, he said.
The proposed thermal power plant with a capacity to generate 4,000 mega watts of power at Tadadi, in Karwar, Uttar Kannada, has been shelved, and a gas-based power plant, at a cost of Rs 400 crore in 600 acres of land, will be set up there. Three thermal power plants with a capacity of 700 mega watts each will be commissioned here within the next three years, he added.
Discussions will be held with union environment minister Jairam Ramesh, on the environmental issues that are hindering the execution of the proposed Gundia power project. The electricity requirement of Karnataka will be fully met by the state in the next 10 years, to achieve self sufficiency, as far as power generation is concerned, he asserted.
The first phase of UPC will be commissioned by Mar 10, 2009. The agreements are being signed to set up a power plant at Koodagi in Bijapur, with a capacity to generate 4,000 mega watts of power. Thermal power plants will be set up at Jevargi and Gataprabha in Gulbarga. The support of the citizens in this regard is utmost essential, he emphasized.
MLA Gopal Bhandary, Udupi zilla panchayat (ZP) president Gladys D' almeida, deputy commissioner Hemalata, ZP member Savita Shivanand, Karkala taluk panchayat president Uday Kotian, Karnataka Power Transmission Corporation Limited (KPTCL) officers Pratap Kumar, Gurusripada and Vasant were present on the occasion.
The present transmission line with a length of 22.7 kms has been executed at a cost of Rs 33.21 crore. The company is in the course of installing another line to Shantigrama, at a cost of Rs 396.39 crore.