High-tension wire: Drop proposal to set up technical committee, demands Subbaiah

The decision of the State government to constitute a technical expert committee to explore alternative routes for laying 400 kv high-tension wire from Mysore to Kozhikode, is a foolish move, said former MLC A K Subbaiah.

Speaking to mediapersons here on Saturday, he said that it is a tragedy that the state government is acting on the directions of the pseudo environmentalist, MLA K G Bopaiah and a few political leaders.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has failed to understand the truth behind the protest against laying high-tension wire.

“The NGOs have been trying to come in the way of implementing the project in the name of felling of trees. Whether no trees were felled for road widening, construction of fly overs and setting up of industries and other development works.

Growing double the number of felled trees is the only solution to maintain balance in the nature,” he said.

'The length of the line between Karnataka and Kerala is 210 km.

The work on laying line for 155 km is complete from Mysore to the border of Kodagu and from Kozhikode to the border of Kodagu at Kutta.

“The government is spending in crores to  lay 400-kv high-tension line, which is implemented as a part of wheeling power from Kudankulam nuclear power project. Is there a meaning to explore alternative routes at this juncture?” he asked.

Subbaiah has said that trees on five km forest area has been felled in the district.

The remaining wires passes through paddy fields and coffee estates.

According to an estimate only 8,000 trees were felled and not 50,000 as claimed  by the protesters. 

“The environment, forest and Atomic Energy division have given green signal for the project. Only after getting approval from the concerned, the state and central governments okayed the project. In such a scenario why did the state government give nod for implementing the project initially,” he asked.

He said that when the protesters filed a writ in the High Court seeking stay order, the court had quashed the appeal.

This is one of the major project to supply power to Karnataka and Kerala.

With the implementation of the 400 kv high-tension line, Karnataka will get 520 mega watt electricity.

Karnataka is already reeling under acute shortage of electricity. Realising the ground reality, the government should drop the proposal on constituting a technical committee to look into alternative routes and allow the completion of the project.

“The protest by NGOs for foreign funds is an insult to democratic set up.

The elected representatives are also working against the needs of the people,” he added.