Bijapur District selected for Ultra Power Project: Eswarappa

Bangalore, Sep 15 (UNI) Central study team has selected two sites in Bijapur District in Karnataka for the proposed 4000 MW Ultra Power Project, Minister for Power K S Eshwarappa said today.

Addressing newspersons here, he said that the members of the team of the Union Power Ministry recently visited Kudagi and Mannu in Bijapur district and reportedly recommended for the sanctioning of the project.

Replying to questions, he said that the state government has not dropped the controversial Tadadi Thermal Power project which was vehemently opposed by environmental groups supported by heads of two religious institutions.

"State government has not shelved the Tadadi project and would clear the doubts about impact on environmental. Government will hold talks with all before taking any final decisions and will not force it upon" he clarified.

Expressing confidence that the proposed Ultra Power Project in Bijapur district would be more feasible as it is closely situated to Goa sea port. The Goan government is also expanding the Panaji port and has agreed to Karnataka's request to give access for handling over 40000 ton of coal to be transported to Bijapur power project.

"State has agreed to allocate 4 Tmc of water to the project from Alamatti reservoir" he said.

"I would lead an high level official team to New Delhi shortly to pursue the proposed Bijapur Ultra power project" he said.

Referring to the proposed Chamalapur project in Mysore which has drawn huge public protest from various environmental groups and political parties, Mr Eswarappa clarified that government will not seek to impose the project forcefully.

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