Latest news with #SharavathiPumpedStorageProject
Hans India
17-07-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Cong Mysuru convention, show of strength amid internal conflict: Bommai
Haveri: The Congress party is holding a convention in Mysuru on July 19 to showcase its internal power struggles rather than achievements, said former Chief Minister and Member of Parliament Basavaraj Bommai. Speaking to the media in Haveri on Wednesday, he said Congress has not achieved enough to warrant a convention. They had earlier planned a show of strength in Hassan under the pretext of a convention of achievements. Now, that is being done in Mysuru. The fact that the party in-charge has already held meetings with ministers shows that things are not right within the party. The internal conflict continues without a full stop. Unless the Congress High Command gives clear direction, this unrest will persist. It even seems like the High Command itself wants this confusion to continue. On the Sharavathi Pumped Storage Project, Bommai said, it is a project that can generate around 2,000 megawatts of electricity at a relatively low cost. About 38 hectares of forest land will be affected. Forests should be grown in alternative areas and the surrounding forest must be protected. The project has already received conditional approval, and it should proceed in adherence to those conditions. When asked about the Congress allegation that protocol was violated during the inauguration of the Sigandur bridge, the former CM said there was no violation of protocol in any manner.
Time of India
15-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Belur criticises MP over Sigandur bridge inauguration row
Shivamogga: A day after the launch of India's second-longest cable-stayed bridge at Sagar in Shivamogga, Sagar MLA Belur Gopal Krishna criticised Shivamogga MP BY Raghavendra. He accused him of having a "fox mentality" and deliberately scheduling the event hastily to exclude state govt representatives. He urged CM Siddaramaiah to take disciplinary action against govt officials who attended the Sigandur bridge inauguration on Monday, despite the CM's instructions. The 2.44 km-long cable bridge, built at a cost of Rs 473 crore, was opened to traffic by the Union road transport and highways minister Nitin Gadkari on Monday amidst political rumblings over protocol lapse. Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, the Congress MLA attacked Raghavendra, who is a MP and son of former CM BS Yeddiyurappa and brother of BY Vijayendra, state BJP chief. Velur noted that the BJP's late invitation to the CM, merely five days before the event, suggested a deliberate attempt to prevent the CM's attendance. He clarified that while Congress supports regional development, they questioned the breach of the CM's protocol, explaining their absence from the event. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Unsold 2021 Cars Now Almost Free - Prices May Surprise You Unsold Cars | Search Ads Learn More Undo However, Raghavendra expressed his discontent with Congress functionaries. Speaking to reporters here, he said: "I must express my disappointment and frustration over the petty behaviour displayed by some politicians from our district. Their desperation was palpable." He noted that rising water levels would affect barge operations, and his request for an earlier inauguration was disregarded. He expressed satisfaction at ministers and MLAs visiting the bridge, but criticised attempts to diminish the event's importance. Employment opportunities Belur discussed the Sharavathi Pumped Storage Project, which aims to generate 2000 MW of electricity to address state power shortages. The project promises employment opportunities and compensation for affected families, with assured implementation, he said.
New Indian Express
10-06-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Eco-panel hearing on Sharavathi project today: Karnataka Energy Min George
BENGALURU: The environment committee is having a look at the execution of the Sharavathi Pumped Storage Project in Shivamogga. Energy Minister KJ George said here on Monday that the committee will hold a meeting on the project on Tuesday. George said he was not aware of the details of the report prepared by the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC) team that visited the site recently. 'The project will be executed. Issues that have been raised pertaining to lion-tailed macaque and other wildlife are being examined,' he said. The energy department has sought 54 hectares of land for the project, while offering alternative land to the forest department. 'Only a few environmentalists are raising objections. We had obtained permission to conduct a study in the area, and it was done. If the project is executed, it will generate 2,000 MW of power along with a proper storage facility. All pipes and cables will be laid underground,' he added.
The Hindu
27-05-2025
- General
- The Hindu
Site inspection report disfavours Sharavathi project
A site inspection report of the controversial Sharavathi Pumped Storage Project has not recommended the proposal of the Karnataka Power Corporation Limited (KPCL) which seeks diversion of 54.155 hectares of forestland for the project. A detailed site inspection, conducted by Praneetha Paul, Deputy Inspector-General of Forest (DIGF) from the Regional Office, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change of India (MoEF&CC), Bengaluru, has not recommended the proposal for the project citing 15 reasons including presence of Lion Tailed Macaque Wildlife Sanctuary. However, S. Senthil Kumar, Deputy Director-General of Forests, (Central) Regional Office, MoEF&CC, has recommended the proposal, while suggesting that 'revision in the design to minimise tree-felling and protect the ecological integrity of the area may be considered'. Concern about damages Ms. Paul, who was the inspecting officer, in her report, stated that the reason for not recommending the proposal include felling of more than 15,000 trees, many of which are endemic to the Western Ghats. 'Construction of new roads, widening of roads, construction of the surge shaft, adits, pot head yards, power evacuation etc would result in complete destruction of the wet evergreen forests of canopy density ranging from 0.7 to 1,' the report states as one of the reasons. It further states that the felling of 15,000 trees would result in further fragmentation and creation of isolated populations of the Lion Tailed Macaque (LTM) and other endemic species which may eventually lead to its extinction. 'Alternate CA land proposed, being a shola grassland, will not be able to compensate for the loss of habitat of the LTM,' it said. It also said that as the ecological fallout far outweighs the economic benefits that may be accrued by commissioning this project, 'it is recommended that the project should not be approved.' The inspection was conducted between May 1 and May 9, 2025. Damage acknowledged Meanwhile Mr. Kumar acknowledged that the area is home to significant endemic species, including LTM and the Malabar Pied Hornbill, both of which rely on tall, undisturbed canopy trees. 'There is no alternative alignment as the project depends on utilising reservoirs and gravity for hydroelectricity production,' he states in his recommendation. It further says the proposed project lies within the Sharavathi Valley Lion Tailed Wildlife Sanctuary which harbours the largest known population (730 individuals) of LTM and a separate proposal has been submitted for wildlife clearance which is pending. It added that the Chief Wildlife Warden had recommended modifications to design, including adopting underground structures and minimising surface openings to avoid felling approximately 518 trees in the Surge Tank area and by constructing an underground road from Nagar Basti Kere to Bagodi to preserve approximately 12,000 out of the 13,756 trees marked for removal. 'Building an overground road would disrupt the free movement of canopy dependent species such as the LTM. Revision in the design to minimise tree felling and protect the ecological integrity of the area may be considered. The proposal is recommended,' stated the DDGF .
