People say yes to UPCL expansion, submit a list of demands

UDUPI: The public hearing on the expansion of the coal-based thermal power plant, Udupi Power Corporation Ltd (UPCL) at Yellur and Santharu in Udupi district went off smoothly on Thursday. The public had no objection to the expansion of the 2x800MW project but had a long list of demands for their constituency. The meeting was organized at the Paniyooru Durga Devi School and people were present in large numbers. Deputy commissioner T Venkatesh said the people's views will be recorded and sent to the Union ministry of forests and environment. When the thermal power plant at Udupi was planned, the people of Kaup constituency had opposed it strongly. However these protests did not prevent the first unit of 1200MW from being a reality and the plant was built at a cost of Rs 11,500 crore. The production started in July 2010. Later, another unit of 600MW capacity was commissioned. Adani Group, which took over the project from Lanco Company is now planning the expansion. Santhosh Shetty of Kaup said, "There's no use of opposing the project. The government has decided to expand the project and it will do it. We did everything possible to oppose it earlier but in vain. This time, we decided not to fight the project but instead seek facilities for the constituency."Vinay Kumar Sorake, Kaup MLA, said, "Kaup is an ecologically sensitive area as it includes the Western Ghats and the ocean. The company has failed to fulfil the promises it made while starting the project. Hence, before the Adani Group starts expansion, we want to know how the company is planning to utilise its CSR fund. We have asked it to increase the fund from the present 2%. The plant has hit the poor very much who are facing several health issues. The company should compensate by constructing a hospital in the constituency. This part, they should supply free electricity to Kaup town. The company should also ensure free education to the children of those who have lost their lands to the crude oil pipeline project ."Vijay Hegde, a villager, urged the people to understand the environmental concerns if the expansion takes place. "The company should close the existing plant and set up a solar energy plant," he said. Balakrishna Shetty of Ulluru cited a Supreme Court order which stated that importance should be given to food security. In this case, 93 percent of land being used for expansion is fertile and suitable for agriculture. "Why such land is being used for the expansion? The local public here are not getting any benefit from it. The power generated is sent mainly to Bengaluru. Why cant they construct the plant in barren lands at Hassan?" he questioned. Lalaji R Mendon, former MLA, Devi Prasad Shetty, Belapu and Sheela K Shetty had a long list of demands like job for youths, work contract for local people, upgradation of the sports ground at Kaup and free electricity for residents of Kapu, hospital, housing allowance for the needy.