by K.K.Aiyamma
Responding to Mysore-Kodagu MP Pratap Simha’s letter requesting for a review of the 400Kv Power Line route passing through Coorg, The Ministry of Power, Coal and New and Renewable Energy, Piyush Goyal,. has said that:
the controversial project has been reviewed several times by—including the Supreme Court and the National?Green Tribunal (NGT), and since no alternative routes or options could be figured out, the Ministry would be forced to go ahead with the project.
Further stating that:
The route avoids wildlife protected areas, including the nearby Nagarhole National Park and Bandipur Wildlife Sanctuary. It also involves usage of minimum forest land.
Expressing discontent over the letter, Coorg Wildlife Society President, Colonel Muthanna said that the Society, which has already moved the court, would now make a strong appeal before Home Minister and Kodagu District-in-charge Minister K J George.
PGCIL(Power Grid Corporation of India) has identified the longest and the most expensive route, causing the greatest ecological damage. This means – a bigger project, and bigger money. PGCIL could have drawn the line from coast to coast, instead of this circuitous route. The district-in-charge minister should take initiative and ensure that proper justice is done.
Interestingly, in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha, Goyal states that:
We may adopt satellite imaging for detailed survey and route alignment to minimise the impact of forest or environment issues.
So, Mr.Goyal, why not use that technology and change the route for this project ???
