Farmers protest against Udupi-Kasaragod 400 kV, Paladka-Kadandale 400/200 kV Power Transmission Line projects

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, February 21, 2025: Farmers took out a procession and held a protest in Mangaluru on Thursday, February 20, opposing Udupi-Kasaragod 400 kV and Paladkka-Kadandale 400/200 kV Power Transmission Line projects.

The protest was held under the auspices of Catholic Sabhas of Mangaluru and Udupi and federation of action committees of Dakshina Kannada and Udupi, opposing the two projects.

Addressing the gathering on the occasion at the Clock Tower, Ronald (Roy) Castelino, Public Relations Officer, Roman Catholic Diocese of Mangalore, said that the two projects will affect farmers, their crop and their farmlands as the high tension overhead transmission lines will pass through farm lands. The lines once commissioned are likely to create health issues among people living nearby, he said.

Mr. Castelino said that farmers have been submitting memoranda to government officials and elected representatives opposing the projects since past five years. None are responding to farmers.

Huge towers will come up in the power corridor at every 500 m distance coming in the way of farming, he said.

Udupi- Kasaragod line

Referring to the 115 k.m. long Udupi-Kasaragod 400 kV transmission line project he said that it will affect people in 27 villages between Kaup and Punacha.  

Mr. Castelino, also the former chairman of Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy, said that 1,150 acres of fertile farmland with standing crops will be directly lost to the project in the twin districts. In addition, 2,300 acres will be lost as no shed, building or structure can be built upto 46 metres (buffer area) on either sides of the line. Mr. Castelino said that 2.65 lakh arecanut trees, over one lakh coconut trees, 4.5 lakh pepper vines, 1.5 lakh rubber trees, 25,000 jackfruit trees, 28,000 mango and 2.5 lakh other wild trees will be lost to the project.

In addition, he said, 328 houses, 26 daivasthanas, eight masjids, 16 temples, 14 schools and 13 churches fall under the project area affecting them, Mr. Castelino said.

He said that the government has begun implementing the projects without consulting farmers and local people as the people have been kept in the dark.

Mr. Castelino said that the projects will also affect animals and birds. Though the projects will affect the environment and ecology none of the green activists are raising their voice, he said and chided that animal activists have restricted their activities only to the protection of street dogs in cities.  “The projects are being take up in a goondaism manner,” he alleged.  

He said that the power line from Udupi to Kasaragod can be drawn underground in a duct on the sides of railway line, national highway or on the beach side. Alternative ways should be explored by dropping the overhead power line project, he said.  

Members of Karnataka Raita Sangha (Hasiru Sene), Bharatiya Kisan Sangha, Udupi District Krishika Sangha participated in the protest.