MADIKERI: The Kodagu district Association has urged the Power Grid Corporation of India to provide details to the public about the 400 KV high-tension power grids being laid across the district.
This was raised in a meeting convened by the association in Gonikoppa. The meeting was presided over by association president J A Karumbaiah. On the occasion, C A Nanda Subbaiah placed a memorandum before the Gonikoppal Citizen Forum, the Kodagu Planters Association and Kodagu Small Growers Association.
The meeting also resolved that the high-tension power line should not pass through the district. Karumabaiah said that the power-line passes through coffee estates and forest areas from Maldare to Kutta where 50 heavy towers will be erected. The coffee and forests coming under the grid will be completely destroyed, he said.
He also added that the proposal was Okayed in the year 2003 and the construction is done under the Telegraph Act of 1885. He said quality power would be provided with the installation of the power grid.
But this view was strongly opposed by ZP member M K Nanjappa, retired Colonel C P Muthanna, coffee planter M C Nanaiah and B A Ramesh. They said that there is no need of discussion over loss and profit and categorically said the power line would not be allowed in the district.
The managing director of Chamundeshawari Electrical Supply Company, Vijaya Narasimha who said that the project belongs to the Government of India and that the project will not be taken up inside the National Park, attended the meeting.
He said the power grid would be constructed outside the forest cover. The district will get better electric supply from this, he said. The meeting unanimously decide that the power line should pass through the fire line in the Nagarahole National Park and it can be routed through HD Kote, DB Kluppe, Bavali and to Kerala.