Mangalore, October 29: Energy minister D K Shivakumar has assured to provide 24 hour power supply to the state in coming years, on Tuesday October 28th.
He inaugurated the newly-built regional centre of the Karnataka Electricity Board Engineers’ Association, ‘Swarna Soudha’ at Kavoor, during the golden jubilee of the Association.
Shivakumar said, “In future, the undivided districts of Mangalore and Udupi will be provided 24-hour power supply. The government is active in implementing the programme. Without depending on anyone, the entire state will get sufficient electricity within 1.4 years”.
The minister spoke about UPCL and its reported acquisition, said, “A company has come forward to purchase UPCL and within 15 days it will be implemented after a meeting. Within a week of the company being purchased, the department and the government will make the company fulfil all the assurances given to the people.”
Without naming the ultra mega thermal power project at Niddodi, he said, “The government has spent Rs 1 per unit on coal transportation. If the plant is established close to the sea, it will reduce the transportation charge. We will not implement any project forcibly but will continue the project after considering the citizens views.”
Shivakumar said, “All 6000 vacant posts of linemen will be filled within five months.”
MP Nalin Kumar Kateel said, “Nidoddi is an agricultural land. Even in Udupi, NTPC has created problems. People have lost faith in all these projects; hence, Nidoddi power project should be dropped. I will help in this cause through the central government,” he added.
On this occasion, Mayor Mahabala Maarla and MLA Mohiuddin Bava also spoke.
During the occasion, Minister B Ramanath Rai, Venkatashiva Reddy, president, Karnataka Electricity Board Engineers’ Association, additional chief secretary of power department, P Ravi Kumar, Chikka Nanjappa, managing director of Mescom, and Kumar Nayak, were present.
