Govt proposes to produce 1000 MW from bagasse

Puttur, October 12: Despite intense opposition from Pejawar seer Sri Vishweshatheertha Swamiji and many environmentalists, the state government is contemplating to grant approval for the second unit of the Udupi Power Corporation Limited (UPCL) at Nandikur in Udupi district.

Speaking on the issue, Chief Minister D V Sadananda Gowda said that the government will conduct study into the environmental aspects related to the second unit of the UPCL.

“We will give conditional approval and insist that the company should look into the environmental aspects,” he said and added that the state is placed in a difficult situation where it is not in a position to meet the demand for power.

“It is imperative for us to generate more power, but at the same time we will also give emphasis on environment. Government will balance both,” he said

The CM said that the State is chalking out plans to follow Maharashtra example where power is being generated from the bagasse produced in sugar factories.“If everything goes as per plan, state will soon be able to generate 1,000 MW additional power using molasses disposed from sugar factories across the state,” he proposed and informed that he has held talks with the sugar factory owners in Bangalore in this regard and the owners have given a positive response.

Apart from this, the CM said that his talk with Chattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh had been fruitful as the CM has agreed to supply 400 MW power supply to Karnataka. However, only 200 MW power is being supplied due to lack of additional power supply grid.

The CM had taken part in various programmes including civic reception organized at Panchamukhi Anjaneya Temple in Ishwaramangala here.

Combing operations

The CM said that the police will intensify combing operations in Western Ghats in wake of recent incident, where ANF constable Mahadev S Mane had died at Savanalu in Belthangady taluk.He said that 1,200 cops have been deployedto check the naxal movement in Western Ghats region and our aim is to root out naxal movement completely.

“A detailed inquiry will be conducted to ascertain the facts which led to the death of the constable in Savanalu,” he said.