Irregular power supply deepens drought woes in C’magaluru

Chikkamagaluru: With drought conditions worsening across Chikkamagaluru district, farmers are struggling to protect standing crops. Inadequate power supply to agricultural pump sets has added to their woes. Although the government has promised seven hours of three-phase power supply daily, farmers in several parts of the district allege they are not receiving it.The shortage has particularly affected farmers in Kadur, Birur, Ajjampura and Tarikere, where dependence on agricultural pump sets is high. With deficit rainfall, farmers are increasingly relying on borewells to irrigate their crops. However, erratic power supply is making it difficult to utilise the available groundwater.Mescom officials said seven hours of power was being supplied to agricultural pump sets in Malnad region, while maintaining the same schedule in the plains was proving difficult because of the higher number of pump sets.M S Manjunath, Mescom Superintending EngineerMescom has to supply seven hours of power to agricultural pump sets a day. Since there are a large number of agricultural pump sets in Kadur Ajjampura and Tarikere we are currently able to supply five to six hours of power.An official informed that currently, five to six hours of power is being supplied. If power generation increases in the coming days, additional supply will be provided. If generation falls, the supply may have to be reduced based on directions from higher authorities. However, farmer leader Gurushanthappa said agricultural pump sets were not receiving even five hours of power a day.Solar parksMeanwhile, the Energy Department’s plan to establish solar parks at 11 locations in the district, with a combined generation capacity of 98 MW, has run into land-related hurdles.The department has proposed solar parks within the jurisdiction of various substations in Chikkamagaluru, Kadur and Tarikere taluks. Around 180 acres of land is required for the projects.Sources said that the plan was pursued with interest as Energy Minister K J George is also the district in-charge minister. However, except for a project near Kadur town, work on most of the proposed solar parks has not progressed due to land availability issues and disputes.Hundred hurdlesAccording to available information, 20 acres have been identified for a solar park at Gummanahalli near Antaraghatte in Kadur taluk, and the Revenue Department has transferred the land to the Energy Department. However, locals are opposing the commencement of work.A 40-acre plot near Donnekoranahalli has been identified for a project with a proposed generation capacity of 16 MW. At Hullenahalli, 60 acres have been earmarked, with the process of transferring the land from the Revenue Department to the Energy Department underway. Another 40-acre plot has been identified at Amruth Mahal Kaval near Ajjampura. Projects proposed in Neralakere and Singatagere have also faced hurdles.In Tarikere taluk, 70 acres near Nandi Hosahalli have been earmarked for a solar park, and the foundation stone has been laid. However, farmers cultivating the land have approached the court, bringing the project to a halt. Mescom officials said work would be taken up with police protection.Land snagNo suitable government land has been identified within the required five-kilometre radius of the sub-stations at Kalasapura and Hirenallur. As a result the proposed projects are now being considered for relocation to Shivamogga district an official said.The project proposed under the Bilekallahalli sub-station was dropped after the available government land was found to be 10 km away making it unviable under the project guidelines. However work is progressing on a solar park on 30 acres of private land near Byagadehalli in Kadur taluk. The project is expected to be completed by the end of November and is expected to generate 9 MW of electricity.

Source: Deccan Herald