20 MW hydropower plant in TN Dist: Minister

Chennai, Mar 28 (UNI) Tamil Nadu Electricity Minister Arcot N Veerasamy today informed the State Assembly that a 20 MW Hydro Electric Station would be set up at Kolli Hills in Namakkal District.

Replying to a question from Mr A Thamziharasu, he said the plant would be set up at a cost of Rs 63.41 crore after constructing a check dam across the river at Kollimalai.

Power generation from the plant would commence in 2009, he said in a written reply.

Replying to supplementaries, he said though the government had decided to initiate the project in 1995, it could not take off as the Centre could not allocate land for the project.

The Tamil Nadu Government would give 14.2 acre of land with the Centre providing 7.1 acre of forest land for the proejct.

He also said the government was also planning to set up hydro-electric power stations wherever feasible.

Asked about setting up of the proposed 150 MW hydro power plant at Hogenakkal, Mr Veerasamy said the Union Government had stated the project should begin after consultations with Karnataka.

The Karnataka Government had said the project could commence after the Cauvery row was resolved.

UNI GV VD AS1844