Govt. urged to lay 400 kVA Padubidri-Kasaragod power transmission line underground
Addressing reporters here on Saturday, Benedict C. Fernandes, the society's secretary, said that such a transmission line has been laid underground in Chennai using the latest technology.
If the line is installed overhead, about 1.78 lakh trees, which are in private properties, will have to be felled. In addition, about 3,000 trees on the government land will have to be cut down, he said, adding that the axing of trees will affect the environment of Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts, he said.
Mr. Fernandes said that in January, the Forest Department in Dakshina Kannada gave permission for the project proponent to fell trees on the government land. When the society challenged it before the National Green Tribunal (NGT), it stayed the move on August 1.
He claimed that the project proponent has obtained only 'in-principle approval' or stage I clearance from the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change. 'Final approval or stage II clearance by the Ministry is required before commencing any work on the ground,' Mr. Fernandes said.
The secretary claimed that the project proponent has already erected 35 transmission towers even before obtaining stage II clearance.
'No work can commence just by obtaining stage I clearance on the Parivesh portal for projects that require forest clearance. The stage I clearance signifies that the proposal has been accepted only in principle,' he claimed.
Mr. Fernandes said that if stage II clearance is obtained, the project proponent has to identify farmers who will lose their land to the project and pay them compensation, as per supplementary guidelines issued by the Union Ministry of Power on March 21, 2025. As per the guidelines, the compensation amount to be fixed should be the market value of the land, and this has to be decided by a five-member committee headed by the chairman, which, in this case, will be Deputy Commissioner. 'So far no such committee has been formed,' Mr. Fernandes said.
He expressed concern that the radiation that will be emitted by the proposed transmission line would create health issues among people living in the vicinity.
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Time of India
19 hours ago
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Power line project: Forum warns of legal battles
Mangaluru: The Society for Forest, Environment and Climate Change (SFECC) has warned of legal battles in several cases of non-implementation of govt orders, policies, and guidelines in connection with the implementation of the 400KVA power line from Padubidri to Kasaragod-Phase 2. SFECC secretary Benedict Fernandes told reporters here on Saturday that under the proposed project, towers are being erected without environmental clearance and biodiversity clearance. He said Udupi Kasaragode Transmission Ltd (UKTL) plans to lay a 115km 400KVA transmission line from Padubidri to Kasaragod, and has only received in-principle approval (Phase 1) from the ministry of environment, forest and climate change. "It is informed that the project proponent is doing illegal work without obtaining Stage II clearance, environment clearance, and biodiversity clearance," he said, alleging that 35 towers were set up for the project illegally in violation of Stage I clearance. "No work can be commenced after obtaining only Stage I clearance on the Parivesh portal for projects requiring forest clearance. Stage I clearance is an in-principle approval and signifies that the proposal has been accepted in principle. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like American Investor Warren Buffett Recommends: 5 Books For Turning Your Life Around Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo Final approval (Stage II clearance) is required before any work can begin on the ground," he said. Fernandes alleged destruction of nearly 1.78 lakh trees besides health hazards due to the project. SFECC demands that all illegal structures, including towers raised for the project, should be razed. He said the project proponent should lay the transmission lines underground, a technology which is being used throughout the world. Restore properties of innocent farmers who were lured to sacrifice their land, he said. 400KVA Power Line Action Committee member Chandrahas Shetty said if the project proponent succeeds in obtaining Stage II clearance, the latter has to identify the farmers whose land will be affected while laying the transmission lines and pay compensation as per supplementary guidelines issued by the ministry of power on March 21, 2025. Accordingly, the compensation amount to be fixed is the market value of the land, and this has to be decided by the five-member committee involving the DC as its chairman, he said, and demanded that the state govt issue guidelines on the same. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Happy Krishna Janmashtami Wishes ,, messages , and quotes !
The Hindu
a day ago
- The Hindu
Govt. urged to lay 400 kVA Padubidri-Kasaragod power transmission line underground
The Society for Forest, Environment, and Climate Change, Mangaluru, urged the government to lay the 115-km-long 400 kVA power transmission line from Padubidri in Udupi district to Kasaragod in Kerala underground using latest technology in order to save trees and protect environment. Addressing reporters here on Saturday, Benedict C. Fernandes, the society's secretary, said that such a transmission line has been laid underground in Chennai using the latest technology. If the line is installed overhead, about 1.78 lakh trees, which are in private properties, will have to be felled. In addition, about 3,000 trees on the government land will have to be cut down, he said, adding that the axing of trees will affect the environment of Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts, he said. Mr. Fernandes said that in January, the Forest Department in Dakshina Kannada gave permission for the project proponent to fell trees on the government land. When the society challenged it before the National Green Tribunal (NGT), it stayed the move on August 1. He claimed that the project proponent has obtained only 'in-principle approval' or stage I clearance from the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change. 'Final approval or stage II clearance by the Ministry is required before commencing any work on the ground,' Mr. Fernandes said. The secretary claimed that the project proponent has already erected 35 transmission towers even before obtaining stage II clearance. 'No work can commence just by obtaining stage I clearance on the Parivesh portal for projects that require forest clearance. The stage I clearance signifies that the proposal has been accepted only in principle,' he claimed. Mr. Fernandes said that if stage II clearance is obtained, the project proponent has to identify farmers who will lose their land to the project and pay them compensation, as per supplementary guidelines issued by the Union Ministry of Power on March 21, 2025. As per the guidelines, the compensation amount to be fixed should be the market value of the land, and this has to be decided by a five-member committee headed by the chairman, which, in this case, will be Deputy Commissioner. 'So far no such committee has been formed,' Mr. Fernandes said. He expressed concern that the radiation that will be emitted by the proposed transmission line would create health issues among people living in the vicinity.
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a day ago
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