The proposed helicopter unit project of the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) at Gubbi in Tumakuru district has hit a roadblock with the defence public sector undertaking knocking on the doors of the State government on Monday.
HAL officials accompanied by Tumakuru MP Mudduhanumegowda and Bengaluru Rural MP D K Suresh met Energy Minister D K Shivakumar and requested the government to bear the cost of Rs 57 crore to shift three high-tension lines passing through the project site.
Following this, Shivakumar has agreed to include HAL’s request in the Cabinet agenda.
The government has granted 610 acres to HAL near Bidarehalla Kaval in Gubbi taluk for setting up the chopper unit. As per the original agreement, the Karnataka Power Transmission Corporation Ltd (KPTCL) would shift the three lines and the cost for shifting should be borne by HAL.
“However, the company is now saying that it will not be able to bear the cost. Since Karnataka is keen that the project should stay in Karnataka, I have agreed to bring the matter before the Cabinet. But I have in principle told HAL that KPTCL will not be able to bear the cost,” Shivakumar said, adding that the government would only be able to give certain concessions like waiving the supervision charge of 10 per cent.