Madikeri :

The Power Grid Corporation of India (PGCI) has completed the project to supply power from Kaiga to Kozhikode in Kerala amid protests. The 400kV transmission line was opposed in Kodagu on grounds that it would damage forest cover. Due to opposition from environmental organizations and farmers’ association and court cases, work had been halted for some time in Kodagu.

While the line was in place in Kerala, the missing link has now been completed. PGCI warned people that it’ll charge the line and residents of the area should be careful.

The 120-km high-tension wire from Mysuru to Kozhikode passes through 55km in Kodagu. Of this, 4.45km is forest land, while the remaining is private land and plantations. The lines in Mysuru and in the opposite direction between Manandavadi and Kozhikode were completed two years ago.

Workers on coffee plantations and school children would face the maximum threat. Following protests, the Kodagu district administration distributed compensation to land owners where power lines passed. The PGCI completed the project with police protection and many cases were booked against agitators.

The corporation said the wire through Kodagu was laid 15 metres above the ground and would not harm elephants.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News Home> City> Bengaluru / TNN / September 29th, 2015