Udupi: State Energy Minister Discusses Future Outlook of UPCL
Pics by Hemanath Padubidri
Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (SM)
Udupi Aug 24: Shobha Karandlaje, Minister for Energy said that the UPCL projects will fulfill the electrical requirement of the state.
Shobha Karandlaje visited the UPCL, situated at Nandikoor, Udupi for the first time on Friday, August 24. The purpose of the visit is to check the present position of the plant, to cross check if the Pollution Control boards and safety measures are being followed or not and to know the neighboring village issues.
UPCL's second unit is going to begin within the next two weeks and the sanction for the same will be given only after checking the safety and technical aspects. Until the regulatory measures are conducted the project will not begin, she added.
At present, only the 400KW line has been sanctioned from the State government. But the requirement is 1200 MW. These conditions will be constantly observed by the NDPC and the technical aspects will be followed thoroughly, only then the second plant will receive the permission.
The power line will pass upto Hassan and beyond. This will be controlled by the State government and KPCL. Power distribution will be serviced by various companies which are allocated from Mysore, Bangalore Raichur and Bellary etc which will receive power through this project.
The Lokhaayuktha report says that excess money has been paid for buying the power unit illegally, she stated. The CRP will decide the unit price, which will be the central committee. If the prices are rising the state government will take necessary action.
Due to rain water deficiency, water power has not been implemented. This measure has been taken by the government. Only 60% of rainfall has been recorded while 85% is the requirement for steady flow of water power.
It was planned that from January to May, water power would be used. If this arrangement works it will be followed in the future.
2500 MW of water power is the required amount but due to water shortage only 620 MW of water power is being used. Solutions are being looked upon with this regard also, Shobha added.
In the past 1500 MW of wind power was acquired by the state, but from the past couple of days it has been reduced to 80MW which is a drastic change. These power deficiency issues are creating problems, and the energy minister has called for a tender for 750 MW.
Power lines still pose a block and she stated that they are considering the issue on a larger scale. She also added that the Udupi 1000 MW and Bellary 500 MW unit may help in resolving such issues.
She stated that she is happy with the present passion and the measures taken by UPCL to solve the environmental issues.
She also checked the Pipeline, Ash Pont, Control unit and the water cooling tower system. The plant will work only for the state and not for any place in particular, she added that the Udupi people are lucky to get more energy units than that of the other parts of the state.
Kota Srinivas Poojary (district Incharge), N T Reju (District Commissioner), Booralinga (SP), and Lala G Mendon (Kaup MLA) were also present during the UPCL visit.
Kota Srinivas Poojary stated that the families and people affected by any means by the UPCL power units will be compensated.