Efforts are being made to draw 400 kV Udupi-Kasaragod power transmission line by deviating from approved project route, say farmers

Udupi-Kasaragod Power Transmission Line Virodhi Horata Samithigala Okkoota alleged here on Wednesday that efforts are being made to draw the proposed power line by deviating from the Union government approved project route. Addressing presspersons, Inna Chandrahasa Shetty, general secretary of the okkoota, said the Union Ministry of Power through a gazette notification has specified the permitted project route to draw the 400 kV power line from Yellur in Udupi district to Kasaragod via Vitla in Dakshina Kannada. Mr. Shetty said that the Central Electricity Authority in its monthly progress report of under-construction transmission projects awarded through tariff based competitive bidding route said that of 177 towers to be built in Karnataka, the government is facing “severe right of way issues” pertaining to construction of 128 towers. Mr. Shetty who is also the general secretary of Karkala taluk unit of Bharatiya Kisan Sangha, said that the office-bearers of the okkoota will meet Chief Minister Siddaramaiah during his visit to Mangaluru on January 17 to apprise him of the problems which the farmers will face when the power line is drawn on the farmland.