Kerala Agriculture University nixes substation move
The power transmission project was expected to be commissioned in 2019
Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Agriculture University (KAU) has shot down the proposal of the government to hand over its 45 acres of land in Thrissur to Power Grid Corporation for high voltage power station, part of the ambitious Raigarh-Pugalur-Madakkathara power transmission project for bringing 2,000 MW from Chhattisgarh.
The 400 kV high-voltage direct current (HVDC) sub-station was to be constructed at Madakkathara. The special meeting of the general council of KAU held at Government Guest House, Thycaud, on Saturday took the decision.
The meeting also rejected the proposal of Nileshwar Municipality seeking two acres to construct a new bus terminus.
Government directions did not find favour with several members urging the authorities to uphold a previous decision of the council against transferring land for non-agriculture purposes.
Executive committee members, government chief whip Thomas Unniyadan and A.P. Vincent MLA, proposed that a high-level delegation from the general council should be deputed to hold further discussions.
The power transmission project was expected to be commissioned in 2019. This location was only 800 metres away from the existing 400 kV sub-station at Madakkathara.
Following this, a committee with these two and vice-chancellor P. Rajendran was constituted for the purpose. General council will re-examine the whole matter based on the feedback.