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New Indian Express
13 hours ago
- General
- New Indian Express
Two years on, TN forest department mandate on power fences yet to be implemented
COIMBATORE: Two years after issuing a GO to regulate power fences, including solar fences, as part of ensuring safety of wildlife, the forest department's Tamil Nadu Power Fences (Registration and Regulation) Rules, 2023, is yet to come into force. Farmers do not often follow norms set by the department like procuring BIS-certified energisers and incurring more expenses to follow rules. A forest range officer from Coimbatore said that farmers are supposed to follow steps to set up equipment with certain specifications as part of setting up a solar fence, to ensure safety of animal movement. "In this forest range alone, more than 20 farmers have applied to set up the fence in their groves to protect crops and farmers feel that they would incur more expenses if the Tamil Nadu Power Fences (Registration and Regulation) Rules 2023 is implemented," the official said. Sources said over 80 farmers have applied in under both the fresh mandate as well as existing solar fence norms P Kandasamy, General Secretary of the Farmers Association said, "The forest department itself is confused about implementing the project as both the forest department and Tangedco have differing opinions. "We are also concerned about the wild animals. However, the department is taking action against the farmers in case of wildlife deaths. It is the duty of the forest department, which is the custodian of wild animals, to protect them. We need a permanent solution to prevent recurring human-wildlife conflicts. Another farmer who has covered his one acre of grove using a solar fence already in Periyanaickenpalayam said that he applied to register under the new rule two years ago but has not received any further communication from the forest department since. "How can cover my 6.5 acre banana plantation from frequent wild elephant intrusion by fixing just 240 metres of fence, as per a norm set by the forest department," questioned R Periyasamy, a farmer from Theethipalayam. "I have spent more than 4.5 lakh for installing solar fences for 1,750 metres. If the government provides a 50% subsidy from my Rs 4.5 lakh expense and allows farmers like me to cover the fence around their grove, all farmers can protect their crops successfully."


Hans India
2 days ago
- Business
- Hans India
TN: Udangudi thermal power plant to start power generation by next summer
Chennai: The Udangudi supercritical thermal power plant in Thoothukudi district of Tamil Nadu is expected to commence power generation by next summer, with work progressing rapidly on the first unit. The Rs 13,076 crore project, comprising two units of 660 MW each, is set to significantly bolster Tamil Nadu's electricity supply during peak demand periods. Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation (Tangedco) Managing Director J. Radhakrishnan, in a statement, said that over 90 per cent of construction work on Unit 1 has been completed. While the initial plan was to commission the first unit by September, the MD hinted at a possible delay, stating that efforts are now focused on ensuring electricity generation begins by the end of the year. 'The work is progressing at full swing across all levels to ensure readiness before next summer,' said Radhakrishnan. 'Once Unit 1 becomes fully operational, Unit 2 will follow within the next four months.' He added that installation of key components such as boilers, turbines, water plant, power house, and conveyors has been completed. Work on the ash handling section and obtaining fire safety certification is currently being expedited. During test trials of Unit 1, nearly 10 technical issues were identified and subsequently resolved. Radhakrishnan also pointed out that one of the key reasons for the delay in completion was the shortage of skilled manpower. The Udangudi Thermal Power Project was originally announced in 2012 to address Tamil Nadu's growing power needs. However, delays in approvals and administrative processes meant that construction could only begin in 2017. The project is being developed on a 360-acre site near the coastal town of Udangudi and is designed as a supercritical thermal plant using imported coal, with an aim to increase efficiency and reduce emissions compared to conventional coal plants. Once operational, the plant is expected to add 1,320 MW of power to the state grid, providing much-needed support during high-demand seasons, particularly the summer months when electricity consumption soars due to air conditioning and irrigation requirements. Officials are optimistic that the project, once fully completed, will play a vital role in strengthening Tamil Nadu's power infrastructure and ensuring energy security for the coming decades.


Time of India
6 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Crowds flock to enrol for ‘KMUT' at CM's outreach
Chennai: The first day of the Ungaludan Stalin initiative saw a heavy turnout across the city and state, with hundreds lining up to enrol for the Kalaignar Magalir Urimai Thogai (KMUT) scheme. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Women, many of whom said they never received the monthly 1,000 assistance, walked into to the multi-departmental camps set up in neighbourhoods to submit fresh applications. Chief minister M K Stalin launched the initiative from Chidambaram in Cuddalore district, where he personally handed over benefits to a few applicants, including a hearing aid, a health insurance card under the CM's Comprehensive Health Scheme, and a Tangedco name transfer order. All eligible women who submit applications at these camps would be given the monthly assistance, he said interacting with a few applicants and promised them a speedy resolution of their grievances, he said. "We will conduct 10,000 camps under the programme," he said. Senior ministers and district collectors inaugurated the camps simultaneously across the state. In Chennai, seven camps were held under the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) limits with participation from over 30 departments, including health, social welfare, minority welfare, CMDA, Tangedco, special projects, and GCC. Six camps were held across other districts. At the Nolambur camp alone, over 400 people turned up by 11 am. L Inbavalli, a resident, who she came for the KMUT scheme said, "I got the funds for a few months since launch but it did not come after that. So, I am applying again." Officials did door-to-door visits to identify schemes people wanted and gave them forms, which they have to submit at the meeting. Some, like K Bhuvaneshwari, who they never enrolled in the scheme we assured they would added to the beneficiaries list in 10 days. The state planned 10,000 such neighbourhood camps between July 15 and November.


New Indian Express
7 days ago
- Business
- New Indian Express
TN can save Rs 16K crore in 5 years by harnessing floating solar power: Report
CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu can unlock savings of over Rs 16,000 crore in five years by harnessing floating solar photovoltaic (FPV) systems across 57 major reservoirs, finds a new report by Climate Risk Horizons (CRH). The 3.5 GW FPV capacity could replace 1.68 GW of high-cost coal-based power from the ageing North Chennai and Thoothukudi thermal power plants. The 57 large category dams chosen for analysis have a total surface area of 35,486 acres when their water levels are at their annual minimum. The analysis suggests that utilising just 40% of this minimum recorded water area would yield an installed capacity of 3.55 GW of FPV assuming a requirement of 4 acres/MW. The report estimates that electricity from FPV would cost just Rs 3.16 per unit less than half the average tariff of state coal power plants, which stands at Rs 7.12/kWh. This transition could save the Tangedco Rs 3,211 crore annually, providing much-needed relief to the debt-laden utility. 'Tangdco's power purchase model, dominated by expensive coal-based energy, has been a massive financial drain,' said Ashish Fernandes, CEO of Climate Risk Horizons and co-author of the report. 'FPV is not only cheaper, but also avoids land acquisition hurdles and curbs water evaporation from reservoirs.'


Time of India
7 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
IAS officers named govt spokespersons
Chennai: In a first, Tamil Nadu govt has named four senior IAS officers as its official spokespersons empowered to communicate timely and accurate updates on govt schemes and departmental initiatives through the media. They are: Tangedco MD J Radhakrishnan, rural development secretary Gagandeep Singh Bedi, secretary of home, prohibition and excise Dheeraj Kumar and revenue and disaster management secretary P Amudha. Dr Radhakrishnan will be the spokesperson for departments such as energy, health, transport, education, food and consumer protection, cooperation, welfare of non-resident Tamils, and human resource management. You Can Also Check: Chennai AQI | Weather in Chennai | Bank Holidays in Chennai | Public Holidays in Chennai Gagandeep Singh Bedi will handle communication for a wide range of departments, including municipal administration, rural development, agriculture, water resources, animal husbandry, industries, environment and climate change, and MSMEs. Dheeraj Kumar will handle prohibition and excise department. Amudha will be the spokesperson for her disaster management department as well as for social welfare and women's rights, Adi Dravidar and tribal welfare, labour, backward and most backward classes welfare, housing, highways, tourism, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments, and special programme implementation. According to govt guidelines, department secretaries will provide verified data and updates to the designated spokespersons, who will coordinate with the chief secretary before engaging with the media.