Moodbidri : Even as confusion persists over the setting up of the Niddodi ultra mega thermal power plant, the moves made by a private company of Bangalore to go in for a mini hydel project in Puttige village, has been a matter of concern for villagers who do not want this project which they feel would destroy farm lands.
As many as 60 houses in Kanchibailu area as well a nearly 200 acres of land in the vicinity are facing fears of submersion if the project comes up at Naagundi in Puttige GP limits.
The villagers who are hell bent against letting land for the project, are now planning to take a delegation to the Chief Minister to request him against permitting the project.
The project : A private company of Bangalore has applied for a NoC for the mini hydel unit and water reservoir in Puttige village. As per the project plans the power generation unit will be set up at Naagundi in Shambhavi river, while the dam would be built at Kanchibailu. The project proposes to generate 7.00 mw of electricity. The government has given approval for the project and the issue was also discussed in the Gram Sabha in the presence of the company’s MD.
The fear : However, villagers fear that the setting up of the project as well as construction of a dam may cause inundation of nearly 200 acres at Kodipady, Kongur, Matta, Karumugeru, Siriyara, Pelatadka, Madimal Gundi, Mookamar Anadka and other places.
The river across which the dam would be constructed joins Shambhavi river generally overflows during monsoon even submerging the Puttige temple. This being the case, the construction of a dam would make matters worse and would also affect the Naga Falls at Kallamundkur and Arbikatte of Moodbidri which are favourites of nature lovers.
A villager Vasudeva Nayak feels in case of any technical snag in the plant then it may lead to a major fire, while another villager Dhruva Bhat says there is no question of letting land for the project. Meanwhile, local ward member Shashidhar Bhat said the panchayat will not grant NoC to the project if villagers do not want the project.