Shobha says PM was sympathetic to state’s demand for 750-MW power corridor.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has assured that he will look into Karnataka’s demand for an additional 750 MW transmission corridor for drawing power from the centre and north Indian states, according to energy and food and civil supplies minister Shobha Karandlaje. He gave this assurance when Karandlaje met him in New Delhi recently.
After the Mass Communication Awareness Campaign on Energy Savings arranged by Bangalore Electricity Supply Company (Bescom), the minister said with the delay in getting coal linkage to power stations in Karnataka, she has also asked for a revision in coal policy so that the state can mine coal in other states.
“We’ve been asking the Centre for coal for Jewargi, Yermarus and Edlapur stations. But, the prime minister has told us that we are 10th in line for coal linkage. Hence, we have asked for a policy change where we can mine coal in other states or a coal block where we can have an MoU for supply of coal for some years.”
“Though the PM has not agreed for a change in coal policy immediately, he has assured that he will look into the corridor provision at the earliest,” she said.
Udupi’s 2nd unit gets clearance
“The green bench of the Supreme Court has given clearance for the second unit of Udupi power station and we have started erecting poles,” she said. “However, one person has raised objection against starting Udupi power station’s second unit. But, we’re sure that SC will support the state government and we’ll be able to start drawing lines by June end,” she said.
The state government is gearing up to start a solar park in Bijapur district, Karandlaje said, adding that: “We have identified 4,000 acres of land for this. We will start with 500MW and will then think of expanding.” Currently, the state is getting 2,300 MW of wind power. “We have been asked to add 200 MW to this,” she said.
Meanwhile, the second unit of Bellary thermal power station (BTPS), which was supposed to start operations from February, has got coal linkage. “BTPS second unit will start operations from May second week,” the minister said.
Ideate and win prizes
To encourage people to reduce power usage, Bescom has charted out a year-long plan with various activities. “We have conducted street plays, Dollu Kunitha, Veeragase and flash mob to propagate the message of saving power,” Karandlaje said. Bescom has also announced a cash prize of `50,000 for the best slogan on saving power.
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