Government might approve second UPCL unit

Government might approve second UPCL unit

Mangalore Today News Network

Udupi , Oct 12, 2011 : The state government might approve the setting up of a second unit of Udupi Power Corporation Limited (UPCL) at Nandikur in Udupi in spite of the opposition of Shri Veshweshatheertha Swamiji, the seer of Pejawar Mutt.

Shortage of power in state

CM D. V. Sadananda Gowda said that the government will conduct a study into the impacts of a second UPCL unit on the environment. Explaining the matter further, he said that the government will “give conditional approval” and insert a clause that the company should ensure that its activities do not harm the environment. He also said that the state is facing acute shortage of power and has to meet the demand for electricity somehow.

 

 

 

However, he assured that the government will take into consideration all environmental issues before approving the setting up of a second unit.

Further, the CM said that the state is planning to follow the Maharashtra model of power generation from bagasse produced in sugar factories. He said that, if the state succeeds, it will be able to generate 1000MW of power from molasses discarded by sugar factories all over the state. He also said that he has discussed the matter with sugar factor owners in Bangalore and that they have responded positively to the idea.

 

He also said that his discussions with Raman Singh, the chief minister of Chattisgarh, have been successful because Mr. Singh has agreed to supply 400MW of power to Karnataka although only 200MW is being supplied because there is no extra power supply grid.

Anti Naxal operations

The CM also said that combing operations will intensify in the Western Ghats, following the recent death of ANF Constable Mahadev S. Mane in a Naxal encounter at Belthangady. He added that 1,200 police personnel have been deployed to deal with the Naxals in the Western Ghats and stated that the aim is to eliminate the Naxal problem completely.

He also said that the death of the ANF constable will be thoroughly investigated.