Cogentrix site not to be shifted -- Krishna

Cogentrix site not to be shifted -- Krishna
ENS & AGENCIES

SIRSI/BANGALORE, DECEMBER 21: Chief Minister S M Krishna has rejected the demand of the environmentalists to shift the Cogentrix power project from Nandikur near Mangalore, saying it ``could not be considered at this stage''.

Incidentally, he is likely to lead a team, which will hold talks with a delegation led by the president of the US-based Enron Power Corporation, which has shown interest in establishing power projects in Karnataka.

Announcing this, Energy Minister Veerakumar Patil told mediapersons here on Monday that the representatives of Enron had already appraised the Chief Minister of the projects the company had established.

Earlier, inaugurating the Kadambotsav at Banavasi, Krishna told reporters on Sunday that there was no opposition to the Cogentrix project by his cabinet. ``However, it will consider the pros and cons before taking any decision,'' he said.

He said special schemes are being worked out for North Karnataka with aid from World Bank and other financial agencies. Sixtowns in Uttara Kannada district would be developed at a cost of Rs 164 crore. World Bank aid of Rs 600 crore would be taken to develop six more towns of North Karnataka.

Minister for Major Irrigation H K Patil will hold talks with the Goa Government shortly to discuss the proposal of establishing the Mahadayi irrigation and power project which would be beneficial to both Goa and Karnataka.

About the problems faced by the evacuees of the Sea Bird Naval Project regarding rehabilitation, the Chief Minister said he would soon meet Defence Minister George Fernandes to discuss the issue.

He said he would also talk to the Chairman of Larsen and Toubro (L&T), contractors of the sea bird project to provide piece-work contracts to local contractors.

He said 330 hamlets of Uttara Kannada district would be provided with electricity at a cost of Rs 10 crore this year.

Meanwhile, at Bangalore, Patil said the State would welcome any party which would produce power at low cost.

Refuting charges that theCogentrix project was stalled to accommodate Enron, Veerakumar said the two are different projects. ``Cogentrix has already come to the State and there is no truth in these allegations.''