Villagers thwart survey bid by Central team for proposed Niddodi Ultra mega thermal power project

Villagers thwart survey bid by Central team for proposed Niddodi Ultra mega thermal power project

Mangalore Today News Network

Moodbidri, May 17, 2013: Villagers of Niddodi  gheraoed a central team of officials which had arrived at Niddodi on May 16, Thursday to inspect the site of the proposed 4000 megawatt ultra mega thermal power project of Niddodi.

The villagers who gathered information that a central team had arrived for inspection, blocked the road while the  team  led by the Central Electrical Authority Officer MS Puri was returning after inspecting the site. The team also comprised Mangalore Assistant Commissioner Sadashiva Prabhu, Lakshman, Chief Engineer of KPTCL, Jagadish, MESCOM Executive Engineer and  Nagaraj, KIADB Land Acquisition Officer.

 

However,  clarifying on the issue,  AC Sadashiva Prabhu said the Central Team had not arrived for a survey of the land , but to study the  distance between  Niddodi, Western Ghats Port and the rail route. He also stated that the villagers could not be intimated as the local village accountant was on leave.

MS Puri,  the team head  said they had visited to review the  geographical condition and that all measures would be taken after taking villagers into confidence.

Kiran Manjanbail, Convenor of the Matrabhoomi Horata Samithi who spoke on the occasion, said  Niddodi was not an ideal place for a mega thermal power project and feared that hundreds of families relying on agriculture would be rendered displaced if the project was initiated.

A team of villagers led by Joachim Koreya, President of Kallamundkur GP  appealed to the central team to drop the project,  Hundreds of villagers including former GP chief Poovappa Gowda, ZP Member Janardhan Gowda,  were present.

Meanwhile, local MLA Abhayachandra Jain who is in Bangalore, informed media over telephone that he had brought to the notice of the DC regarding the issue. HE said the project was a contribution of the BJP government and that he was against it. He also clarified that he could not visit the place   as he was in Bangalore.

Abhaya also stated that  the team had visited the area without eve bringing the matter to him  and added  has requested the DC not to allow the team to continue its work. He also stated that the DC had responded favourably and added he would not  agree for any project which is opposed by the people.