JOIN USThe electric cables which have been drawn for the electricity supply as a part of mini hydro power project started a few years earlier in Bidalli near Somvarpet, have been posing danger to people.
The hydro power project was started at Kumaralli village in Bettadalli Panchayat limits and is being managed by a private company in Bengaluru.
The work is going on near the point of convergence of Kumaradhara and Lingadahole streams. When the three Mega Watt capacity project was started, the villagers and environmentalists posed an opposition.
Bettadalli Panchayat, CESK, forest department and other departments approved the project, without looking into the pros and cons.
The process of mounting the poles has been started and the cables of an electric line, which is being drawn towards the power grid, are in a lower level and are posing danger to people. Near APMC, the electric cables pass in the middle of Kakkehole stream. An electric pole has been mounted in the middle of the stream. As the flow of water will be more during the rainy season, the people are dogmatic about the safety. As per the rule, an electric pole should be mounted after burying at in a minimum six feet deep pit in the ground level. But, the workers are digging only 2.5 feet pit to mount the pole, which is the clear violation of the rule. Somvarpet CESK EE Neela Shetty said the government has given an opportunity to small scale power producers, to fulfill energy requirements. But, the generation and supply of power will be allowed only if the necessary norms are followed, he said. Kalappa, a resident said that the electricity line passing through the stream, could be of a great danger. AlsoBranches of trees near the cable have not been cut. People will be benefited if the project is carried out following safety norms.