KRRS threatens stir against UPCL

Udupi, May 5: Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha (KRRS) Udupi district president Vijay Kumar Hedge threatened to go on stern agitation if government fails to take action against coal based Udupi Power Corporation Limited (UPCL) thermal power plant within 45 days.

Speaking to media persons here on Friday, he said the report by expert committee appointed to go through the consequences of UPCL plant over environment, human beings and livestock in the surrounding areas has categorically stated that the thermal plant proves to be hazardous. The committee was initiated under the leadership of Pejawar mutt seer Sri Vishweshatheertha Swamiji. The plant at any cost is not suitable for this area and the report has called for immediate rectification. However, government is unwilling to take any measures against the thermal power plant. The cost of shifting the plant may not exceed Rs 80 to Rs 100 crores. This amount is too less comparing the huge loss that might incur in future owing to the functioning of the plant. It will be detrimental to the environment and people in the area, he added.

The government had dismissed two of the experts in the committee Dr Y B Ramakrishna and Dr T V Ramachandra for coming out with interim report before media. However, these two scientists continued working and were able to bring out the report independently as directed by Pejawar seer. Hegde said the Company who has taken all necessary measures to rectify the problems of fly ash and effluent water as claimed by environment department is far from truth. The Company has installed drift eliminator instead of desalinated plant. However, drift eliminator is introduced in the second unit and the first unit continues to be unsafe, he added.

Problems pertaining to fly ashes and effluent water have no permanent remedy. The ashes exhorted through chimneys will be forced into 2,000 feet height and will be dispersed into 40 to 50 kms radius in the surrounding area. It has already proved disastrous to the agriculture and horticulture growths and continues to be so.

Besides, the chemicals used for FGD and other sorts of petrochemical wastes will totally contaminate the ground water sources. Ashes will be washed off into River Shambavi during monsoon and the river water will be polluted. Marine resources in the sea has been already massively affected owing to the discharge of affluent water, he said and urged government to take action against the Company in the interest of the life of people residing in the areas. He also informed that Udupi-Chikmagalur MP Jayaprakash Hedge has assured to hold talks with District Commissioner over the issue within a week.