Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi
New Delhi, Aug 22 : In a significant development in the Niddodi power plant project, Udupi - Chikmaglur MP J P Hedge has assured "there will be no thermal plant in Niddodi, not even an initial process has begun."
JP Hegde recently met the union Power minister Jyothiraje Scindia and handed over a detailed letter opposing the project at Niddodi, explaining the impact of the project on the people of Niddodi and its surroundings.
The minister has reportedly given a positive assurance to the MP, and said that a meeting will soon be organized along with the MPs, MLAs and the concerned minister of Karnataka state to discuss the issue further.
"Among the several other reasons for opposing the project, some of the main reasons are the loss of agricultural land in the area; the depletion of water in the river Nandini and the disastrous effects of emissions from the plant to the ecosystem. The proposed project will take away fertile agricultural land from the farmers in the area, and draw water from the river Nandini for cooling the plant," he said.
"In a largely agrarian district, it will be impossible to sustain if such a project is implemented due the devastating consequences on the environment and the agricultural lands. The effluents such as hot water, coal dust etc. will cause irreparable damage to the sensitive ecosystem and environment in the entire district. In fact there is already another operational power plant within 10 to 12 km radius. The environmental damage by establishing an additional plant in this region would be unsustainable," JP Hegde explained in his letter.
JP Hegde strongly recommended another site for the plant other than Niddodi. He also urged the minister to hold discussions with public, MLAs, minister of state and MPs with regard to establishment of the plant elsewhere.