Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (SP)

Mangalore, May 2: Former MLA, U R Sabhapaty, met Dakshina Kannada district in-charge minister, Krishna J Palemar, at the guest house of the forest department at Panambur on Sunday May 1, and demanded for the immediate closure of Udupi Power Corporation Ltd’s (UPCL) power plant near Padubidri.

Pelamar told Sabhapaty that the company top brass has been advised to stop environmental pollution being caused by it. He promised stringent measures against the company if it is found to be violating various stipulations put forth by the government. He however, did not respond to the demand for the closure of the power plant.

Nagarika Seva Trust president, Somanath Nayak, Vidya Nayak, Annaiah Sherigar, and Premanand Kalmadi had accompanied Sabhapaty during the talks.

“UPCL Hatao Samiti has taken a clear stand that the power plant should be shut down. If it is closed, the loss incurred will be to the tune of about Rs 20,000 crore. If it is continued to operate, the district may loose around five lac crore rupees in terms of damage to land, sea, Western Ghats, health of the people etc,” Sabhapaty warned the minister.