PANJIM: Power Minister Ramkrishna ‘Sudin’ Dhavalikar on Tuesday claimed that the Goa Tamnar Power Transmission Project is required for the State as it was capable of handling 1,200 MW of power and would be completed by August this year, evoking strong reactions from the activists, who have termed the remark as “stupid” and the project as “threat to ecology” as it is supposed to pass through the Western Ghats.
Addressing a press conference in the city, Dhavalikar said, “Tamnar power line infrastructure capable of handling 1,200 MW power is almost ready in the State. Only seven 400 KVA towers from Colvale to Dharbandora sub-station need to be completed, after which the project will be completed by August this year.”
He said that the Tamnar power project was required for the State given the increasing power requirement, which had increased to 820 MW this year as against 780 MW of power last year. “Goa’s power demand is increasing and during the next five years additional 330 MW of power would be required, and the Tamnar power line infrastructure was capable of handling 1,200 MW power,” Dhavalikar said.
Reacting to Karnataka government rejecting Goa's proposal to draw the power transmission one through the forest, Dhavalikar said that if Tamnar line is not coming through Karnataka, there are alternate solutions like getting the power from the Western Grid up to Colvale, where infrastructure is ready to take it up to Xeldem power sub-station.
“Tamnar holds strategic significance for us. Even if sourcing from Karnataka faces obstacles, alternative avenues within the state and the Goa project infrastructure will ensure our energy needs are met,” the Minister said.
Dhavalikar reiterated that the Electricity Department had incurred losses to the tune of Rs 150 crore due failed technology of aerial bunch cables and that 50 per cent of them had already been removed.
He further said that the inquiry by a three-member committee was still on into the alleged scam of the aerial bunch cabling project.
The Minister emphasised that substantial changes were underway and would require a minimum two years for infrastructure development and upgradation. Despite the model code of conduct being in force, necessary equipment kits have been distributed to all divisions of the department, he added.
“The transformation within the Electricity Department is a work in progress. While we acknowledge the challenges, significant strides have been made towards modernisation,” he said.
One of the key initiatives highlighted by the Minister was the ongoing underground cabling project, aimed at addressing power fluctuations. Once completed, this endeavour is expected to significantly enhance the reliability of the power supply.
In response to recent incidents where a lineman lost his life during work, Chief Electrical Engineer Stephen Fernandes urged against hasty blame on the Electricity Department.
He emphasised the importance of understanding the facts and highlighted the department’s commitment to providing adequate safety kits to linemen on duty.
“Blaming the Electricity Department without understanding the circumstances is unfair. Our priority remains the safety and well-being of our workforce,” Fernandes said.
ACTIVISTS DEPLORE MINISTER’S REMARKS
Goa Foundation director Claude Alvares said, “I don’t understand why the Power Minister made such a stupid statement. Karnataka is not allowing any lines to pass through its forested area and the Power Minister says it will be completed by August. It is an absurd and stupid statement.”
Federation of Rainbow Warrior founder Abhijit Prabhudesai said, “Completing the line in Goa has no meaning and it is a complete waste of public money. The Karnataka government has rejected permission and it will not be given because it is going through core areas of Dandeli and Anshi Tiger Reserve.”
“Power Minister is wasting public funds and he should be questioned. The Minister is ignorant that this Tamnar project will never be completed. All the money spent and destruction done in the State will be a complete waste. And the Power Minister should be held responsible,” he added.
Goencho Ekvott founder, Orville Dourado Rodrigues, said, “We can’t understand the rationale behind this decision. While activists led by Amchem Mollem Campaign, Goa Foundation, Goencho Ekvott, Chicalim Youth Farmers Club, among other NGOs along with some panchayat members, have been vociferously opposing the Tamnar Transmission Lines project, and despite strictures passed against the company by the Supreme Court, and rejected by Karnataka government, the Goa Government appears to be going ahead with the project in its territorial jurisdiction.”
“The fact that they want to find another way to implement this project, which still needs clearances from the National Wildlife Board, means this could still result in wasteful expenditure of funds from the public exchequer,” Rodrigues said.
Renata Fernandes, a youth environmentalist who has been a part of the earlier held protests against the three linear infrastructure projects, said, “This statement by the Power Minister displays the government's disregard for environmental protection and public sentiment. Before the Goa Assembly elections, he was speaking against the project. It is a betrayal of the trust placed in our authorities to safeguard our State's unique biodiversity,” Fernandes said.