Hemanath Padubidri
Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (VM)

Udupi, Mar 19: Mathrabhoomi Samrakshana Samithi along with residents on Monday March 18 appealed CM Jagadish Shetter to withdraw the proposal made by the state to the central government regarding setting up of an ultra mega power plant (UMPP) in Niddodi.

A memorandum was also submitted by the members during CM Shettar’s visit to Mangalore.

The proposal made by the state government to the central government about setting up of the 4,000 watt thermal power plant in Niddodi is condemnable. The Niddodi being a place for greenery is also an area with plenty of water resources and most of the people living here are dependent on agriculture for their livelihood, they said adding that setting up of Niddodi power plant will have bad impact on the area.

Once UMPP is setup in the area, the agriculturists will face many problems. Adding to this, the plant is also dangerous than UPCL in Yellur as it can produce four times more energy. The impact of the plant once setup will be such that it will affect areas like Niddodi, Tenkamijaru, Badagamijaru, Mucchuru, Puttige, Kallamundkuru, Kateel, Kinnigoli, Yedapadav and other nearby areas. The Nandini River of the famous Kateel temple will also be affected, they said.

Hence as a precautionary measure, before the situation could worsen, it is better that the state government drops the plan, they demanded.

CM Jagadish Shetter promised to respond positively.

Kiran Manjanabailu, journalist and convener of Matrabhoomi Samrakshana Samithi, Samithi members – Poovappa Gowda, Alphonse D’Souza, zilla panchayat member Janardhan Gowda, Bhaskar Devasya among others were present.

MP Nalin Kumar Kateel, MLA Krishna Palemar, MLA Captain Ganesh Karnik, Monappa Bhandary and others accompanied the chief minister.