Latest news with #KarnatakaPowerTransmissionCorporationLimited
The Hindu
a day ago
- Business
- The Hindu
Farmers seek compensation for loss of land to power transmission lines
Representatives of the State Sugarcane Growers' Association met Energy Minister K J George on Wednesday seeking a fair compensation for the loss of cultivable land due to Karnataka Power Transmission Corporation Limited (KPTCL) drawing power transmission cables and installation of towers. In a memorandum submitted to the Minister, association's oganisational secretary Attahalli Devaraj said high voltage 66/11 KV and 220 KV power transmission lines of KPTCL passed over agricultural lands, resulting in loss of cultivable area for many farmers. The transmission lines from KPTCL Mini Station in Gejjeyanavaddaragudi in Hunsur sub division passed through several villages, including Dharmapura, Karimuddanahalli, Aspatre Kaval, Basti Maranahalli, Hallada Koppalu, Udduru Kaval, Tarikal and other areas in Hunsur. These power transmission lines and towers built on the land have not been accompanied by any clear steps regarding compensation to the affected farmers, the association said. 'In response to an RTI application, the officials have claimed that land rates were fixed during a meeting held with farmers in March 2024. But, when asked which specific farmers or land owners attended the meeting, the officials said no farmers had agreed to be present at the meeting. This clearly indicates that the farmers were not part of the decision-making exercise and fair land rate had not been determined', Mr. Devaraj alleged, while contending that the authorities had held meetings on the issue without bringing it to the notice of the land-owning farmers or seeking their consent. The association sought to bring to the Minister's notice that the market rate of the land in the region was ₹2 lakh per gunta. Hence, a fair rate should be determined for the land and an appropriate compensation amount should be fixed. The farmers' body also contended that the transmission lines had already been electrified without the farmers' consent. The association pointed out that farmers in villages such as Koodanahalli, Devalapura, Marasettihalli, Joranahalli, Varuna and Vajamangala too had not been adequately compensated while drawing the 220 KV line from Kadakola to Vajamangala in Mysuru taluk. 'Their lands lie near layouts where land prices range between ₹6 lakh and ₹10 lakh per gunta, while the department quotes only ₹50,000 to ₹60,000', Mr. Devaraj said in the memorandum. Irrigation pumpsets The association urged the government to discontinue the policy of Aadhaar-linked registration and meter installation for irrigation pumpsets. The irrigation pumpsets of farmers should be regularised upon payment of ₹5,000, the association said. For lands that had been affected by power transmission lines, the government should provide free electricity connections for irrigation pumpsets, it added.
The Hindu
5 days ago
- Business
- The Hindu
KPTCL unveils GIS-based app to monitor underground cable works in real-time
To enhance transparency and streamline operations, the Karnataka Power Transmission Corporation Limited (KPTCL) has rolled out a new digital tool, a Geographic Information System (GIS)-enabled Map View application to monitor real-time underground cable projects. The initiative was officially launched by Energy Minister K.J. George on Saturday. According to officials, it is designed primarily for internal use, the Map View application showcases live updates of ongoing underground cable laying activities across Karnataka. 'By making this information accessible, the tool allows the public to stay aware of infrastructure work in their areas and adjust their routines to avoid traffic-related inconveniences. This move is aimed at fostering public involvement and reducing disruptions,' a statement by KPTCL stated. 'This digital platform, powered by advanced GIS technology, marks a major step forward in improving transparency, operational efficiency, and citizen engagement,' said Mr. George. 'By adopting innovative tools like this, we are not only boosting technical performance but also ensuring that the public is well-informed and safeguarded,' he added.
New Indian Express
21-05-2025
- Business
- New Indian Express
Telangana Dy CM Bhatti visits Bengaluru to inspect major underground cabling project
HYDERABAD: Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka on Tuesday visited Bengaluru for an in-depth review of the city's large-scale underground cabling initiative undertaken by the Bangalore Electricity Supply Company Limited (BESCOM). The visit is part of the state government's ongoing efforts to modernise urban infrastructure and enhance the reliability, safety and aesthetics of power supply systems in rapidly expanding metropolitan areas. As part of the visit, a high-level review meeting was held with BESCOM officials. Presentations were made by Pankaj Pandey, MD, Karnataka Power Transmission Corporation Limited and Bengaluru Electricity Supply Company, along with his team. They briefed Vikramarka on the overhead (OH) to underground (UG) power conversion Project — considered one of India's most comprehensive urban power infrastructure transformations. Launched in 2018–19, the project has already converted over 7,400 kilometres of 11kV OH lines and thousands of kilometers of low-tension lines into UG or aerial bunched (AB) cables. A key innovation has been the installation of Optical Fiber Cable (OFC) ducts along UG routes to facilitate future telecom leasing, creating a potential revenue stream. During the meeting, the deputy CM inquired about the project's design and implementation challenges. He also examined the financial structuring, which includes funding from the Asian Development Bank (ADB), Rural Electrification Corporation (REC), and other public sector banks. BESCOM officials reported that the UG conversion has already led to a reduction in technical losses and electrical accidents by up to 2%.
Time of India
20-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Bhatti in B'luru to study urban power solutions
Hyderabad: To improve the power infrastructure, especially the underground cabling system in Hyderabad, as well as system reliability, safety, and aesthetics, Telangana deputy CM Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka visited Bengaluru on Tuesday to study the power sector. The state govt is planning to use some modern technologies and projects, such as urban grid modernisation programmes, in Future City. Bhatti interacted with Bangalore Electricity Supply Company Limited (BESCOM) managing director Pankaj Pandey, who is also MD of Karnataka Power Transmission Corporation Limited. Officials gave a presentation on Bengaluru Overhead (OH) to Underground (UG) Power Conversion Project, which has emerged as one of India's most comprehensive urban power infrastructure transformations. The project in Bengaluru was launched in 2018-19 and has already converted over 7,400 km of 11kV OH lines and thousands of km of low-tension lines into UG or aerial bunched (AB) cables. A key innovation has been the laying of optical fiber cable ducts along UG cable routes to enable future telecom leasing as a revenue stream. Vikramarka enquired about the financial structuring of the project, which includes loans from Asian Development Bank (ADB), Rural Electrification Corporation, and other public sector banks. The reduction in technical losses and electrical accidents, which BESCOM confirmed fell by up to 2% since UG implementation, was also discussed. Bhatti also sought to know the readiness of OFC infrastructure for commercial use, to which BESCOM responded that while ducts are in place, last-mile coordination with telecom operators and BBMP is going on. Later in the day, the Deputy CM visited a pilot site in Malleshwaram (15th Cross) where an Underground Distribution network, including an underground Transformer (DTR) system, has been implemented. The site showcased how DTRs can be housed in fully buried chambers with accessible maintenance panels at street level, freeing up urban space and improving safety.
