News & Pic: Hemanath Padubidri
Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (RD/SB)
Udupi, Mar 3: Udupi Power Corporation Limited – UPCL (Nagarjuna) Hatao Andolan Samiti was formed here on Thursday March 3 to wage struggle against environmentally-damaging UPCL thermal power plant in the district.
Nagarika Seva Trust president Somanath Nayak was elected as convenor, while former MLA U R Sabhapati as president and Belapu Deviprasad Shetty as co-ordinator).
Addressing the media persons at Pingara auditorium, Padubidri, near here on Thursday morning, U R Sabhapati said that peaceful agitations and legal struggle will be taken up against UPCL.
He further said that the state administration led by the then CM J H Patel clearly stated that no mega industries will be set up in the eco-sensitive coastal district without the detailed study on bearing capacity of eco-sensitive coastal district. Despite this, no environmental study has been taken up prior to setting up of UPCL, said U R Sabhapati.
He also alleged that environmental report prepared by UPCL spokesperson Kishore Alva is far from truth, alleged Sabhapati. He urged the state administration to appoint an independent agency to prepare an environmental report in this regard.
The struggle against UPCL will aggravate after Saturday March 5, added Sabhapati.
Kaup Vidyaniketan Group of education institutions president K P Acharya, Basheer Baikampady, Krushikara Vedike president Vittal Shetty, Annayya Sherigar and the presidents of various gram panchayats under whose jurisdiction UPCL thermal power plant is situated were present.