NewsKarnataka-Moodbidri
 
Moodbidri : “The state government is ready to make all necessary arrangements for the setting up of a thermal power plant at Niddodi.” This is the gist of a shocking letter which Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has written to Union Energy Minister Jyothiraditya Sindhia.

An RTI query has  revealed that even amid statement of elected representatives that they will not allow setting up of the plant, the government was keen in going ahead with the project. A copy of the letter which the CM has written to Union Minister Sindhia on June 24, 2013 is now available. In the letter the chief minister has requested to direct the Central Electricity Authority to initiate necessary measures to set up the power plant  on the basis of the site inspection report at Niddodi.

There is also information of the  measures taken by various departments with regard to the setting up of the plant.

On January 17 and 18, 2013, officials of the Power Company of Karnataka Ltd had visited  Niddodi, Paladka  in Moodbidri and Mudipu in Bantwal taluk.  Later they submitted a report that Niddodi, Badagamijar and Tenkjamijar were ideal for the setting up of the plant.  The PCKL has written a letter to the Chief Secretary of the Energy Department in this regard on January 22, 2013. It was in February 2013 that the then CM Jagadish Shettar identified land at Niddodi for the project. It was on this basis that the Central Electricity Authority, Power Finance Corporation, KPTCL, Karnataka Udyoga Mitra and KIADB officials visited Niddodi on May 17, inspected the spot and submitted a report. Though the report said that there is opposition by locals for the project, the State Government has not come forward to conduct a hearing.

Though the Niddodi Action Committee had met Union Energy Minister Sindhia it could not get an appointment to meet the Chief Minister. During every protest, state minister and local MLA has been assuring that he would arrange a meeting between protestors and the CM but has failed to keep up his promise. The protestors are not clear on the CM’s stance on the project.

The very proposal to have a 4000 mw ultra mega thermal power project in Niddodi has brought untold fears in the minds of the  people of the district who feel the government was hell bent upon setting up hazardous projects here. To top it all, the government has also laid foundation for the controversial Yettinahole Project despite widespread opposition.

Today, the fate of the people  of  Niddodi lies in the hands of the CM.