Feasibility study recommended before taking up Tadadi project

Sirsi, Mar 29 (UNI) A feasibility study should be taken up before commencing work on the 4000 MW Ultra Mega Thermal Power Project at Tadadi in West Coast, Conservator of Forest, Canara Circle G Satish has said.

Inaugurating a state-level seminar on ''The Situation of Aghanashini-Tadadi Coastal Environment,' at Kumta yesterday, he lamented that already over 60,000 hectares of forest land had been ruined in Uttara Kannada district due to setting up of various power projects. Hence a feasibility study was a must before going ahead with the Tadadi project, he explained.

Speaking on the occasion, Guruvayanakere Nagarika Trust President Somantha Nayak said the National Thermal Power Corporation and Cogentrix had tried in vain to establish thermal power plants at Nandikur in Udupi district. Now the Nagarjuna Power Corporation was attempting to set up a thermal power plant at Padubidre, amidst vehement protests from the locals.

He said environmentalists in Dakshina Kananda and Udupi districts would always extend their support to any agitation launched by the Uttara Kannada district against power projects.

Former Union Power Authority officer Shankar Sharma pointed out that thousands of hectares of forest land need to be destroyed in the dense Western Ghat region for laying the electric lines for the Tadadi project.

The seminar was jointly organised by various environmental organisations.

UNI XR RG SS SND1618