Hydro-electricity production to go on trial at Kateel Temple in a week

Hydro-electricity production to go on trial at Kateel Temple in a week

Mangalore Today News Network

By Ramya BN

Kateel (Mangalore), June 16, 2012: The famous Kateel Durgaparameshwari temple situated in the bank of river Nandini is all set to take trial power production from next week said G K Rathnaka, Proprietor, Sringeri-based Turbo Turbyne Lights Company.

The temple is located about 30 kilometres from Mangalore and attracts thousands of devotees every day and is presently spending about Rs 14 lakh annually on electricity bills. With a aim to cut down the electricity expenses, the temple authorities have decided to go for turbo hydro-electricity production with the available water from Nandini River that is running side by the Temple. The cost of the project is around 5-6 lakhs.

Speaking to Mangalore Today, Mr. Rathnakar said that the 80% work of installation turbine has been completed and will go for trial production from next week and as the water level now is increasing. We will start full-fledged power generation from next month.

He further said that the main aim of power generation here is for the temple lighting. As of now turbine is installed only at one of the 9 gates of the vented dam that is in front of the temple and we can produce upto 25 KW power. If turbines are installed at other 3 gates, we can easily generate 100 KW power, which will useful to the other institutions of the temple.

“It was Deputy Commissioner Dr N S Channappa Gowda who suggested the temple authorities to make use of the water for generating hydro- electricity, instead of letting it go as it is. Also Chief Priest of the temple had earlier contacted me in this regard. With the DC’s support and co-operation we have all set to start the electricity production” he said.

He also said that there is a plan to produce electricity so as to full fill need of whole Kateel, for the other institutions, street lights also.

He said that in the whole state there are many such places where we can individually generate electricity using the water that’s simply go waste. “I have already set up over 300 turbines across the state, including the Naxal affected areas more than 60 villages were covered under Western Ghats Development Programme.” He added.

Next target is to provide such electricity facility through turbine installations to the remote areas of Udupi and Kundapur that has been tagged as Naxal affected areas, discussion is on with DC on this regard, he said.