K'taka Govt. to go ahead with Chamalapur Thermal Project: Minister

Bangalore, Sep 1 (UNI) Despite strong protest from farmers and environmentalists, Karnataka Minister for Power H D Revanna today announced that the State government would go ahead with the proposed 500-MW Chamalapur Thermal Power Project at Chamalapur in Mysore district.

Addressing newsmen here, he said that taking into consideration the acute power shortage faced in the State and ever-increasing demand, the state can not afford to shelve Rs 5,500 Crore project because of opposition by farmers and environmentalists.

" Some vested interests were politicising the Chamalapur Thermal Power project issue by misleading the farmers and environmentalists", the Minister alleged.

"The Chamalapur Thermal Power Project was one such projects undertaken by the Karnataka Power Corporation (KPC) towards achieving self-reliance on power, which was vital for enhancing and sustaining the economic development of the State." he added.

Mr Revanna appealed to the farmers and others organisations which are protesting against the plant, to realise the intention of the state government in pursuing the project. "The government was ready for talks with those opposing the project and clear all their fear over the project" he added.

Mr Revanna, who also holds Public Works Department, said that the state government has decided to build a outer-ring road encompassing the whole Bangalore Rural district at a cost of Rs 4000 crores. The project appraisal for the proposed 400-km length road has already received, he added.

Replying to questions, Mr Revanna said that it was contemplated to upgrade the present Four-lane Bangalore-Mysore state highway to Six-lane at a cost of Rs 750 crores.

UNI