 "Power Minister Piyush Goyal")
Union Power Minister Piyush Goyal has blamed the reluctance of the Karnataka government in providing right of way for power lines for the electricity crisis that has seen constant blackouts in Bengaluru.
India’s tech hub has seen massive blackouts during summer due to a combination of shortage of power generation in its thermal and hydel power plants and lack of adequate planning in sourcing power from other states.
“I have been concerned about the Bengaluru problem that largely emanated because of three very important intra and inter state transmission lines, because of which we have not been able to move power seamlessly into Bengaluru,” said Goyal, who is the minister of state with independent charge for power, coal, new and renewable energy and mines.
The Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd’s plan to build a 400 KV line to Yelahanka was delayed since 2011 due to a roadblock at one location. Once completed the project can ensure 500 to 600 MW power flow into Bengaluru.
The second project is the 400 KV Dharmapuri - Sumanahalli power transmission line by which power will flow from North to South has been held up due to lack of 'right of way' in 15 locations in Bengaluru urban area. The third project is 400 KV transmission between Madhugiri- Yelahanka that requires 46 locations to be given right of way for the project to be completed. This line will help power to flow from Kolar to Madhugiri and add reliability of power supply to Bengaluru. The fourth transmission line of 765 KV between Madhugiri to Dharmapuri, which was supposed to be completed in December 2014 has been delayed due to right of way in 15 locations.
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“While the country is power surplus, Karnataka is suffering a shortage. If these issues are resolved, it will add to the reliability of the Bengaluru power supply significantly. The state had a problem of generation of hydro power due to shortage of water. But with the onset of monsoon, hydro power generation has started once again. There was also a breakdown in the Sharavati project. But the project is back on track two months ago, “ he added.
He said that if the state government gives us all the right of way approval within the next 30 days, then a deadline on when the projects will be completed will be given by the central government.
The power power plants of Karnataka have 51 days coal stock in their plant as compared to two to three days stock two years ago. “ I want to reassure that coal shall never be a problem for the power plants of Karnataka,” Goyal said.
