From UPCL to Hassan, Shoba dedicates largest transmission line

The nation’s largest double transmission line that transmits 1200 MW power from Udupi Power Corporation Limited (UPCL) at Nandikoor in Udupi district, to 400 KV power grid at Shantigrama in Hassan, was dedicated to the country on Wednesday.

Energy Minister Shobha Karandlaje, former chief minister B S Yeddyurappa and district-in-charge minister Arvind Limbavalli launched the transmission line at a programme held at the government PU college grounds at Shantigrama in Hassan district.

The work on 180-km-long transmission line was completed in 40 months and with this, 1,200 MW power has been added to the KPTCL net.

The line passes through nine taluks in the four districts and 34 km of dense forest making the work a challenge as it is very difficult to set up towers in the forests.

Many a times, the workers had no other option but to carry manually the materials required for installation of the tower as there was no way for the vehicles to move inside the dense forests.

Though it was scheduled to complete the work in 18 months, it took 40 months as some farmers had knocked the doors of the court. However, the work on 112 km stretch was completed in the last eight months.

Speaking after launching the project, Energy Minister Shobha Karandlaje said the need for power is increasing every year and the State requires  24 per cent more power compared to last year. There is no generation of sufficient electricity to meet the demands of the people. In all, 4604 MW power has been added to KPTCL network after BJP came to power, Shobha stated.

More and more businessmen are opting Karnataka state to establish their industries and the rise in the number of pump sets by farmers has added to the increase in need of power.

“We are ready to begin power generation unit, but the Centre is not responding by supplying coal”, she said.