Activists ready to oppose expansion of Udupi Power Corporation Limited plant

UDUPI: In the wake of speculation that the new management under the Adani Group could expand the coal-based Udupi Power Corporation Limited (UPCL), local activists have decided to submit their demands to representatives of the Ahmedabad-headquartered conglomerate, including one against further expansion of the project.

Villagers of Nandikoor and scores of neighbouring villages have been facing several health problems because of the 1200 MW coal-based thermal power project located nearby.

Besides, fertile land near the plant has turned barren resulting in loss of income to farmers in the region. Though activists and people in the area have petitioned the state government and representatives of UPCL, no remedial action has been initiated so far.

With the change of guard at UPCL, activists have decided to list their demands to representatives of the new management, and submit documents of promises unfulfilled so far. “Be it the Adani Group or a bigger group, our fight will continue. We will place all the documents before new management, and make our stand clear,” Raitha Sangha-Hasiru Sene state vice president Vijay Kumar Hegde, who is leading the agitation against UPCL, told Deccan Chronicle adding “We want the plant to be converted from coal-based to gas-based.

The new management should also setup a desalination unit to process water to be used for cooling the tower. At present, saline water drawn from the sea is being used at the cooling tower. Salt in this water creates various problems to people and the environment. And, management should not undertake expansion of the plant. Once all these three demands are met by the company, we will think even about withdrawing our cases. However, those related to environment will continue.”