Janata Darshana: Farmers demand compensation, oppose 400 kV powerline

Mangaluru: The representatives of various organisations and public urged the district in-charge minister Dinesh Gundu Rao to remove the toll gate operating on National Highway 75 at Brahmarakootlu, ensure compensation for the land submerged in the Thumbe vented dam catchment area and grant for completing the long-pending substation project in Bantwal and others.

They were speaking during Janata Darshana attended by the minister at Bantwal on Wednesday.

The public demanded the removal of the toll gate operating at Brahmarakootlu for 12 years. They alleged that the toll gate has been functioning in violation of NHAI (National Highways Authority of India) regulations, without proper infrastructure. Commuters also complained of rude behaviour of toll gate staff. Bantwal TMC vice president Moonish Ali pressed for immediate action to close it down.

President of the Bantwal Taluk Raitha Sangha M Subrahmanya Bhat highlighted the plight of farmers affected by flooding due to the Thumbe Dam. He pointed out that the Central Water Commission mandates compensation for all lands submerged when water is stored up to 7.5 metres. However, farmers have not yet received any compensation for their submerged lands. Though the Mangaluru City Corporation claims to store water only up to 6 metres, in practice, levels sometimes reach 7 metres, submerging the agricultural lands and causing hardships for farmers.
Farmers also raised concerns over the 400 kV power transmission line connecting Udupi district to Kasaragod in Kerala, which is passing through several villages in Bantwal taluk, affecting agricultural lands.

Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha (Hasiru Sene) Dakshina Kannada district president Sridhar Shetty, speaking on behalf of the affected farmers, urged authorities to lay underground cables instead of overhead lines or to reroute the power line along the Arabian Sea coastline to minimise the impact on farmlands.

Residents of Sajipa Munnuru village pressed for the construction of a crematorium for the Hindu community in their locality. A written request was submitted for the resumption of KSRTC bus services on the Nandavara–Manjalpade route, which had been discontinued.

Farmers submitted a written appeal urging authorities not to disconnect power supply to agricultural pump sets when water levels in the Netravathi River drop, as they rely on electric pumps to draw water for irrigation.

Activist Ramanna Shetty has appealed to the minister to give approval for completing the long-pending substation project in Bantwal.

The government sanctioned the establishment of a substation at Kuddupadav in Kepu to ease the burden on Vittal substation, and land for the project was approved. The forest department's clearance for the passing of 110 KV transmission line is pending. Once completed, the issue of fluctuations experienced by the residents of Kepu, Kanyana, Punacha, Karopady, and parts of Puttur taluk, will be solved.