The Hindu Business Line : ‘Power highway only on consensus’

Thiruvananthapuram, July 19 The Koodamkulam-Madakkathara 400 KV power highway would be implemented only after evolving a consensus among the public, the Electricity Minister, Mr A.K. Balan, said in the Assembly on Thursday.

Replying to questions, the Minister said that the apprehensions expressed by planters, that they would be forced to cut down a number of rubber trees to make way for the highway, were unfounded.

Feasibility study

Power Grid Corporation of India has already conducted a survey and a feasibility study in this regard.

Mr Balan said that the Chief Minister, Mr V.S. Achuthanandan, had held a meeting to allay the fears of the public about the highway.

The Government would go ahead with the project only after taking the public into confidence, he added.

Highway ‘vital’

According to the Minister, the highway is vital for meeting the future power requirements of the State, especially the Smart City and other projects proposed in Kochi.

In reply to questions, the Minister for Registration, Mr S. Sarma, said that the process of fixing fair value for land would be completed in August.

The revenue divisional officers (RDOs) had been entrusted with this task and they have been instructed to divide the land into 15 categories for the purpose.

He also said that the proposals of the RDOs would be placed before the taluk sabhas.

The final fair value would be fixed after incorporating the suggestions of the taluk sabhas and then notified.

The Minister informed the House that digital printers have been installed at 15 sub-registrar offices in 14 districts to provide copies of documents to the public without delay.

Besides, the computerisation of sub-registrar offices would be completed within four months, he added.