Why Karnataka is reluctant to permit right of way for the Southern Grid power transmission project?

Union Energy MInister Piyush Goyal lambasts Karnataka for not giving right of way The Southern Grid power transmission project requires 55,000 trees to be cut in the forest area of Kodagu, say activists. Environmentalists are asking why PGCIL can't take up underground transmission lines like it did in Navi Mumbai and Gujarat.

It is widely reported that Union Power Minister Piyush Goyal “lambasted” the Karnataka Government, on Monday, for not giving the right of way for power transmission projects that facilitates all southern states. “I cannot take new transmission lines to Tamil Nadu and Kerala without passing through Karnataka. It is important that all states should give right of way” he said. However, the ecological disaster that it causes to State was not mentioned anywhere.

The Southern Grid transmission project is envisages enhancing 89 per cent power supply, enabling states to draw round the clock power. On several occasion the Energy Minister D K Shivakumar had mentioned how there is tremendous pressure from the Centre to accomplish the Southern Grid project. Though it is an important project for the power security of the State in future, the environmental consequences cannot be neglected.

The power station planned to be set up in Kodagu requires huge area of forest to be mowed down. All along, the Power Grid Corporation of India (PGCIL) had maintained that only 2247 trees would be cut, but it is found that an affidavit has already been submitted before the Green Tribunal by the State deputy conservator of forests that a total of 21,000 trees will be removed to set up the station at Kodagu.  The ecology activists from State have made their own survey and submitted that a total not less than 55,000 trees will be felled both in private and forest land to facilitate the project. The Coorg Wildlife Society had even suggested an alternate route which would require lesser harm to ecology. The Centre has not responded to any of this so far.

Union Minister for Energy Piyush Goyal expressed his displeasure at the State’s non-cooperation to the power grid stating “we are not getting the support from Karnataka for right of way and Karnataka being strategically located, I cannot take the transmission lines to Tamil Nadu and Kerala without the support and passing through Karnataka.” However, he did not mention that activists and people of Kodagu are constantly urging the State and the Central governments to reconsider the proposal of laying the transmission lines through the green forests.  

Citing the example of PGCIL laying underground transmission lines in Navi Mumbai and in Gujarat to protect the migratory birds, the activists are urging PGCIL to also consider underground transmission lines in the forest area in Kodagu, saving the 55,000 trees.

Piyush Goyal stated that after 3 years of taking charge in the Centre, the Southern Power grid has been enhanced by 89 per cent. In the next 2 t 3 years it is going to double. This will enable southern states to purchase power at the rate of Rs2.40 per unit.  The Centre has also successfully increased solar power generation by 30 per cent. Wind energy generation is also on the increase.  By 2022 the solar energy and wind energy will out beat electric power, he said.

By 2020 the Central government aims to produce 100 crore ton coals. In 3 years the coal production has been increased by 9.2 crore ton.  Earlier the same increase took 7 years. In 2014 majority of industries suffered coal shortage but now it has been totally resolved. The nation is self sufficient in coal production reducing import. It has also saved Rs 25,900 crores to the country, he said.

The Union government aims at 24 energy for all under the Ujval Bharath project. The aim is to provide renewable energy to all at affordable price. Of the 18452 villages without electric connection, only 4000 villages are not connected by power. By 2018 all villages will be completely connected by electricity, he said.