Daijiworld Media Network – Karkala (JD)
Karkala, Dec 9: Congress leader Muniyalu Uday Kumar Shetty has called on the Central Government to direct a private company to adopt underground power transmission lines instead of erecting transmission towers for the Karnataka-Kerala power project. He stressed that the project must not harm agricultural land or cause inconvenience to residents, particularly those in Inna and nearby villages of Karkala taluk.
Speaking at a press conference during the ongoing round-the-clock protest organized by the Anti-Tower Construction Committee in Inna village, Shetty strongly opposed the project.
“No permission will be granted for constructing power transmission towers under any circumstances. This unscientific project is inconveniencing residents and damaging agricultural lands. Underground cabling is the solution to preserve farmland,” Shetty said.
He highlighted that affected residents have repeatedly appealed to authorities to stop the project, but their concerns have been overlooked. “The plan includes constructing 17 towers in Udupi district alone. Rerouting the lines along riverbanks would safeguard agricultural land. If implemented as proposed, this project will destroy nearly 2,500 acres of farmland in Karnataka,” he warned.
Shetty also alleged that the company is exploiting the lack of awareness among local residents to push the project forward. “The existing power transmission line from Nandikoor to Hassan has already caused disruptions. Now, another line is planned to Kasaragod. The state government must intervene and compel the company to adopt scientific methods,” he demanded.
Amaranath Shetty, president of the Anti-Tower Construction Committee, reiterated these concerns and pledged to continue the protest until the tower project is stopped. “We are not against the project but demand a systematic approach. Underground cabling, which has been successfully implemented in Tamil Nadu, has avoided harm to farmland and local residents,” he said.
He criticized the lack of transparency, stating that villagers have not been provided with clear information about the project.
The protest has witnessed participation from numerous activists and villagers, including Kush R Mulya, Jay Kotian Inna, Deepak Kotian, Anita D'Souza, Praveen J Shetty, Sulochana Kotian, Divakar Shetty, Ravi Shetty Inna, Suresh Shetty Abbaga Daraga, Kasturi Acharya, Suresh Mulya, Ajit Shetty Sooda, Sheikh Abdul, Shobha, Yogesh Inna, Santosh Devadiga, Kishore Dixit Devadiga, Pradeep Beladi, Sudarshan Bangera, Manish Poojary, Anish Poojary, Prashant Kundar, Keshav Salian, and others.
The protestors have vowed to persist in their fight until the project is revised to incorporate environmentally and socially responsible methods.