+
Karnataka to reconsider power project in Western Ghats
POWER & RENEWABLE ENERGY

Karnataka to reconsider power project in Western Ghats

The National Board for Wildlife (NBWL), chaired by the Prime Minister, has approved the Goa-Tamnar Transmission Project (GTTP), despite strong opposition from Karnataka. The project, which aims to transfer power from Chhattisgarh to Goa, involves constructing a transmission line that cuts through dense forests and the Kali Tiger Reserve in Karnataka. In March, Karnataka had rejected the project due to the high environmental cost it would incur. However, as the project is considered of national importance and part of the national grid development, Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently wrote to Karnataka's Chief Minister, urging the state to reconsider its decision. As a result, Karnataka is now set to re-examine the proposal.

At its 79th meeting in Delhi, the NBWL recommended the project's approval within Goa's jurisdiction, subject to certain conditions. It also instructed GTTP Ltd, the agency responsible for the project, not to commence work until the proposal on the Karnataka side is approved by the NBWL standing committee.

The GTTP was conceived by the power ministry in 2015 to provide an additional power source to Goa, which heavily relies on the western grid. The transmission line, spanning 77 kilometers from Narendra near Dharwad to Xeldem in South Goa, passes through 31 kilometers of forest land, including 6.6 kilometers within the Dandeli wildlife area. Conservationists in both Goa and Karnataka have strongly opposed the project due to the significant environmental impact, which includes the diversion of 174.6 hectares of forest land in Karnataka and the felling of over 70,000 trees in the Western Ghats. The project will also pass through the Kali Tiger Reserve. Despite this, the proposal has not yet been reviewed by the Karnataka State Board for Wildlife, although the state's forest minister, Eshwar Khandre, had previously rejected it in March.

The National Board for Wildlife (NBWL), chaired by the Prime Minister, has approved the Goa-Tamnar Transmission Project (GTTP), despite strong opposition from Karnataka. The project, which aims to transfer power from Chhattisgarh to Goa, involves constructing a transmission line that cuts through dense forests and the Kali Tiger Reserve in Karnataka. In March, Karnataka had rejected the project due to the high environmental cost it would incur. However, as the project is considered of national importance and part of the national grid development, Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently wrote to Karnataka's Chief Minister, urging the state to reconsider its decision. As a result, Karnataka is now set to re-examine the proposal. At its 79th meeting in Delhi, the NBWL recommended the project's approval within Goa's jurisdiction, subject to certain conditions. It also instructed GTTP Ltd, the agency responsible for the project, not to commence work until the proposal on the Karnataka side is approved by the NBWL standing committee. The GTTP was conceived by the power ministry in 2015 to provide an additional power source to Goa, which heavily relies on the western grid. The transmission line, spanning 77 kilometers from Narendra near Dharwad to Xeldem in South Goa, passes through 31 kilometers of forest land, including 6.6 kilometers within the Dandeli wildlife area. Conservationists in both Goa and Karnataka have strongly opposed the project due to the significant environmental impact, which includes the diversion of 174.6 hectares of forest land in Karnataka and the felling of over 70,000 trees in the Western Ghats. The project will also pass through the Kali Tiger Reserve. Despite this, the proposal has not yet been reviewed by the Karnataka State Board for Wildlife, although the state's forest minister, Eshwar Khandre, had previously rejected it in March.

Next Story
Real Estate

DLF Returns to Mumbai with Premium Andheri Residential Project

Delhi-NCR based real estate major DLF announced its return to the Mumbai market on 17 July with the launch of its premium residential project, The WestPark, in Andheri. The first phase includes 416 apartments spread across four towers, with two towers launched on the announcement day. The company plans to invest over Rs 8 billion in the project and expects a topline exceeding Rs 20 billion from Phase 1.“We have launched two towers and, given the strong response, plan to unveil the remaining two towers ahead of schedule, within the next few days,” said Aakash Ohri, Joint Managing Director o..

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

APCRDA Advances Net Zero Goal with IGBC Training for Officials

In a significant stride towards Andhra Pradesh’s Net Zero target by 2040 and the Swarna Andhra 2047 vision, the Andhra Pradesh Capital Region Development Authority (APCRDA), in partnership with the Indian Green Building Council (IGBC), conducted a high-level capacity-building programme for senior officials in Vijayawada on Friday.Held at a city hotel, the session saw the participation of over 50 senior APCRDA officials, including the Engineer-in-Chief, Chief Engineer (H&B), Director (Planning), Director (Environment), and heads of key departments. The training centred on IGBC’s Green B..

Next Story
Infrastructure Energy

Assam Solar Project Halted as Waaree EPC Contract Is Cancelled

Following the Assam government’s withdrawal from its proposed solar project, the Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) contract awarded to Waaree Renewable has been suspended. Waaree Group’s EPC division informed the stock exchange of this development through a regulatory filing.The Assam solar project was suspended due to funding challenges, which rendered the initiative unviable for the state government. Waaree Renewable Transmission Limited (RTL) explained that the Government of Assam has withdrawn the project’s funding via the Asian Development Bank (ADB) loan. Consequentl..

Advertisement

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get daily newsletters around different themes from Construction world.

STAY CONNECTED

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Talk to us?