The Hindu Business Line : Protest against proposed hydel project in Hassan dist

PEOPLE from various walks of life, under the banner of Malnad Janapara Horata Samithi (MJHS), have opposed the proposed 300-MW Gundya Overhead Hydel Power Project at Sakleshpur taluk of Hassan district in the Western Ghat region.

Addressing newspersons here on Tuesday, the MJHS Convenor, Mr Kishore Kumar, said Karnataka Power Corporation Ltd (KPCL) is planning to set up a hydel power project across the tributaries of Netravati River in the Western Ghat region. The project will comprise three major dams, 16 bunds, and a 21-km-long tunnel in Western Ghat region.

If implemented, thousands of hectares of forest and revenue land will be submerged in water. This will affect the environment of Dakshina Kannada, Hassan and Kodagu districts, which are benefited by the Netravati and its tributaries. Water supply to the Netravati from its tributaries may stop, intensifying water scarcity in Dakshina Kannada district, he said.

Mr Kumar charged KPCL with not disclosing information on the project. The pre-feasibility report prepared by the corporation does not provide much information on the project, he said.

`Information shared'

When Business Line contacted the KPCL Managing Director, Mr Nagarajan, he said, "Whatever information we have on the matter, we already shared with them. There is nothing to hide in this matter."

At a public meeting in Sakleshpur recently, KPCL made video presentations on the proposed project.

A pre-feasibility study has been done on the proposed project. Other than this, no survey has been done in this regard, he said. "We are willing to share information on the project in future also," Mr Nagarajan added.

The Seer of Subrahmanya Math, Sri Vidyaprasanna Thirtha, who was present at the press conference, said that he is not against development. However, such projects should not affect the environment of the region. A memorandum will be submitted to the Karnataka Chief Minister in this regard, he added.

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