All of them were initiated without the statutory environmental clearances!!
While, the fate of the first two (read: scam ridden) lies in a state of suspended animation...i mean confided within the four walls of the judiciary..i hope this Karnataka state govt initiative doesn't meet the illustrious fate of Taj and Ganga projects.
State govt officials (read ministers!) are hopeful that the project will soon be cleared by the environment ministry, which means "money" taken neednt be returned while more are on the way.
Infrastructure has and will be the cash cow for most ruling parties. While, i do understand the need of money to run a party...i fail to understand why earn in a dubious or controversial way, which gives the opposition a chance to point fingers or at worst call strikes and bandhs.
Karnataka, a mineral richdeposit state (iron ore, gold..), IT, real estate..am sure there are plenty of opportunities of this BJP-led govt to earn some cash.
Anyway, some key stats on the power project. Hope, the project fructifies to bring some respite during the scorching Feb-April period of namma bengalurus..am i saying that seven-eight hours of power cut during peak hours will be a thing of the past?? Lets see!!
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VITAL STATS
*** The first-phase of the 1,100 crore rupeees hydel power project in Gundia (Karnataka) was kickstarted yesterday (Saturday) by the state's chief minister B S Yeddyurappa.
*** the project is yet to be cleared by the environment ministry as it is still weighing the cons of the environmental impact.
*** The Gundia unit under the ageis of Karnataka Power Corporation Ltd (KPCL) will produce 613 million units of power yearly and is expected to be commissioned by 2013-14 financial year.
*** environmental ministry losing sleep over the project's impact on the already fragile eco-system of the Western ghats. AS:
**Villages to be affected: 12
**Land losers: 160 families
**Submersion area: 708 hectares
**Land acquired/required: 974 hectares
R K Laxman probably is correct! But, hopefully the project doesnt meet a similar fate.
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