Jaya seeks PM's intervention over hydro project

 In her letter to the Prime Minister, Jayalalithaa has said that the execution of the 150 mw Pykara Ultimate Stage Hydro-electric Project is likely to be commissioned by March 2004.

 The cost of the project is Rs 383 crore out of which Rs 340 crore has been spent so far. She has written that the electricity to be generated from this project will be transmitted by an 85-km long transmission line which traverses 13.42 km only in the reserved areas.

 She further stated that since the station itself is in the midst of the reserved forest area of Nilgiris district, the transmission line has to necessarily pass through the reserved forest area of both districts.

 Diversion of the reserved forest for this power project is required for 10.04 hectares in Nilgiris district and 19.897 hectares in the Coimbatore district.