‘Light’ at end of tunnel for households in KNP

A ray of hope has emerged for 1,043 households in Dakshina Kannada district and 3,693 households in Udupi district awaiting electricity connections for past several decades now.

Under ‘Saubhagya scheme’ of the Union government, electricity connections will be provided to 899 households in rural areas of Dakshina Kannada and 3,664 households in Udupi district soon. As many as 114 households in Kudremukh National Park (KNP) and interior areas of Dakshina Kannada and 29 households in Udupi will get solar energy connections.

Works worth Rs 4.58 crore and Rs 11.07 cr to provide electricity connections to 1,043 and 3,693 familes in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts respectively will be taken up.

As many as 903 households, including 20 households in interior areas of Shivamogga, 44 households in interiors of Chikkamagaluru and 43 households in urban areas, have been selected for providing solar energy in Mescom (Mangalore Electricity Supply Coompany) limits at an estimated cost of Rs 2.71 cr.

Mescom has floated tenders for supplying solar lights to households in villages of Kulantaje, Mapalubailu, Mithila, Alamba, Kuriyadi, Okkala, Hantrinje, Ermale, Kasaravalli, Kudkoli, Manjala, Bolle, Pathalike, Surli in Kudremukh National Park limits in Belthangady and Battangaya in Sullia taluks.

In Udupi district, households in Ajjoli, Tarikallu, Malebetty and Moodangallu will be benefited from the solar energy. The contract on electrifying homes has been entrusted to Poweredge Energie Private Limited in Udupi.

Mescom Managing Director (MD) Snehal R said, “Mescom has already initiated measures to provide electricity connections to the households under Saubhagya scheme at a cost of Rs 18.36 crore.”

Mescom will provide solar connections at an estimated cost of Rs 50,000 to each household in interior areas where cables and poles cannot be transported. “If the forest department provides permission, then cables can be extended in forest areas to provide electricity connections,” she said.

Ravi Barengadi, a resident of Kuriyadi in Kuthloor village in KNP said, “The solar units may last for five to six years. The maintenance during monsoon is difficult. It would be better, if they give electricity to us. Electricity connections were provided to households in KNP limits in other districts. We have been appealing for electricity connections for the past many years.”