Farmers plan massive dharna against power transmission line project

Mangaluru: The Federation of Udupi-Kasaragod 400kv Power Transmission Line Action Committees has decided to hold a massive dharna in front of the deputy commissioner's office in Mangaluru soon, with the participation of farmers from Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts.

Federation convenor Chandrahas Shetty told reporters on Monday that nearly 1,150 acres of fertile farmlands from Ellur in Udupi to Punacha in Dakshina Kannada district will be directly affected due to the implementation of the power corridor project. Meanwhile, owners of nearly 2,300 acres will not be able to build houses, cow sheds, godowns, religious shrines or any other permanent structures, he said.

"We are not opposing the Udupi-Kasaragod Transmission Company Ltd (UKTL) project. However, we are raising objections to the way it is being implemented. Our demand is that the fertile agricultural land, crops, and the efforts of farmers should not be affected while implementing the project. Hence, the project proponents should find an alternative route to lay the power transmission line," Shetty said.

Nearly 1.6 lakh arecanut trees, 7,800 coconut trees, 1.2 lakh pepper plants, 4,500 rubber trees and a large number of jackfruit, mango and several species of trees may face axing. Meanwhile, 328 houses, 26 daivastanas, eight masjids, 16 temples, 14 schools and three seminaries remain close to the corridor, he said.

"Farmers are kept in the dark while preparing the project draft. In the last four years, not even 1% of the landowners were given notices. It is mandatory that the consent of 85% of the affected people is essential to implement any project. However, the majority here are opposing the project, and even gram panchayats have adopted resolutions against it," he said.

Elinje Sukheshchandra Shetty, Convenor of the federation, said that protests were held at more than 200 places. "If the people's representatives and authorities concerned do not respond, we will also continue various protests, including dharnas, padayatra and two-wheeler rallies in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts," he added.