Yettinahole: Power production in mini-hydel projects to drop

HASSAN: Private mini-hydel power projects on Kempuhole stream fear that power production would be affected if water is diverted from the stream under the state government proposed Yettinahole Drinking Water project.

Kempuhole stream, a tributary of river Gundia, is one among other streams in Sakleshpur of Hassan from where the state government aims to divert water to supply to water scarce districts of Kolar, Tumakuru, Chikkaballapura and others.

As per the Yettinahole Project taken up by the Karnataka Neeravari Nigam Limited, 24 TMC of water is to be diverted from the streams including Kempuhole and the diversion of water has raised concern among the officials of Kempuhole mini-hydel project, Nagarajuna mini hydel, Paschim mini hydel and Mysore Mercantile Limited, all of them private power projects. They fear power production will fall if water is diverted.

In all, the four power projects on Kempuhole stream generate 45 mega watt of power daily and the fall in power production would affect residents in Alur, Hassan and Sakleshpur taluks of Hassan who draw power from these private power plants.