Date:14/12/2006 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2006/12/14/stories/2006121401362100.htm

Back `Govt ready to clarify doubts on power project'

Our Bureau

Will soon meet fishermen on the issue: CM

THE CHIEF MINISTER, Mr H.D. Kumaraswamy (right), at the foundation stone laying ceremony for road development works at Subrahmanya town in Dakshina Kannada district on Wednesday. The Minister for PWD and Energy, Mr H.D. Revanna, is also seen. — R. Eswarraj

Subrahmanya (D.K. Dist) , Dec. 13

The Karnataka Chief Minister, Mr H.D. Kumaraswamy, has urged the people of coastal Karnataka not to be misguided by some people on the proposed coal-based thermal power plant at Padubidri in Udupi district. The Government is ready to clarify their doubts on the project, he said.

In an informal chat with presspersons here on Wednesday, Mr Kumaraswamy said that the Government had held three meetings with those opposing the proposed thermal power project of Nagarjuna Thermal Power Corporation Ltd at Padubidri. The Government is ready to make arrangements for their visits to the other coastal-based thermal power plants in the country to study the issues related to such plants. Though some people agreed to visit the plant, they did not turn up, he said. Experts are of the opinion that the thermal power plant will not affect fisheries sector in the coastal areas. "People should not be misguided on the development projects such as thermal power plants. There should be positive attitude towards development works in the State," he said.

The Government will soon convene a meeting with the fishermen to discuss the issue, he said.

Road development

Later, laying the foundation stone for road development works connecting Subrahmanya town, Mr Kumaraswamy said that the Government was giving priority for the development of road infrastructure. To provide better access to visitors, the Government wants to improve road infrastructure between various pilgrim centres in the State.

Referring to the recent violent incidents in the district, Mr Kumaraswamy said that such incidents might affect the investment opportunities in the region. Stating that Mangalore is growing along with Bangalore in various sectors, he said such incidents would affect the growth of the region.

National highways

On the poor condition of national highways along some stretches in the district, the Minister for Public Works Department and Energy, Mr H.D. Revanna, said that national highways were not under the control of State Government. The Karnataka Government is ready to repair the national highways, if the Union Government hands them over to it, he said.

The Karnataka Minister for Fisheries and Religious Endowment, Mr B. Nagaraja Shetty, said that the Union Government had sanctioned Rs 40 crore for the repair of NH 17 and 48 after repeated requests by the State Government.