The Hindu : Karnataka News : ‘Kudagi thermal power plant will adversely affect farmland'

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Sunday, Jun 05, 2011
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Karnataka

‘Kudagi thermal power plant will adversely affect farmland'

Staff Correspondent

Padayatra launched to create awareness about the project

Reaching out: S.R. Patil, chairman, Bapuji Rural Development Association, launching the padayatra from Basavanbagewadi on Saturday.

Basavanbagewadi (Bijapur district): Tontada Siddalinga swami of Gadag on Saturday inaugurated the padayatra launched by S.R. Patil, Bapuji Rural Development Association chairman, from Basavanbagewadi to Kudal Sangam.

Addressing participants, Mr. Patil said the padayatra was aimed at creating awareness about the harmful effects of developmental projects such as the proposed 4,000 MW thermal power plant at Kudagi village in Basavanbagewadi taluk of the district.

Harmful projects

He said the proposed plant would adversely affect tourist spots, farmland and the water in the Alamatti dam.

“Instead of setting up thermal power plants, the authorities should concentrate on setting up solar power plants that are not harmful”, he added.

Water in dam

Mr. Patil said that the water in the Alamatti dam should be given to industries only after completing pending irrigation projects as thousands of farmers in Bijapur and Bagalkot had sacrificed their houses and fertile farmland for the project. He also demanded that farmers should be given Rs. 20 lakh per acre compensation for non-irrigated land and Rs. 25 lakh per acre for irrigated land, while increasing the height of the dam from 519 metres to 524 metres.

Farmer leader Panchappa Kalburgi said that scientists and environmentalists had raised doubts against the thermal power plant. Keeping this in view, the State Government should study the pros and cons of the project, he said.

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