Shirol

TV9 - BIJAPUR FARMERS BOILS OVER GOVT FOR APPROVING THERMAL POWER PROJECT....! Bijapur: After discussions at the highest levels in the State and Centre, the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) and Power Finance Corporation (PFC) — whose officers visited the district on August 28 to study the feasibility of setting up a 4000 megawatt thermal power plant at Kudagi village in Bijapur district — have approved the project. The district administration recently received an official letter from the Government in this regard. Speaking to The Hindu, Deputy Commissioner CM Shirol said the managing director of Power Company of Karnataka Limited had requested acquisition of 1500 to 2000 acres of land at Kudagi village. He also requested clearance of 4 TMC of water from Almatti dam, early clearance of railway line from Hubli-Ankola, development of alternate port to Goa — either at Karwar or Tadadi — and to establish a special purpose vehicle (SPV) and initiate action for appointment of technical consultants. In its report, the team has suggested that the thermal plant at Kudagi, which is not a shore-based location, would be advantageous to the State in many respects. The State could avail 50 per cent share in the 4000 MW project and the expected levelised tariff (over 25 years) would be approximately Rs. 2.80 per kwh. The increase in tariff, owing to transportation of coal from port to a hinterland location like Kudagi was not materially significant. The levelised tariff at <b>...</b>