DC’s promise to resolve deadlock rekindles hopes on early completion of Udupi-Kasaragod transmission project line

Dakshina Kannada Deputy Commissioner M.P. Mullai Muhilan’s recent statement to bring farmers, government agencies, and Udupi-Kasargod Transmission Project Ltd. (UKTL) developer M/s Sterlite Power to the table for a dialogue has rekindled hopes of speedy completion of the 115-km transmission line that has already overshot the June 2023 deadline.

Dakshina Kannada Deputy Commissioner M.P. Mullai Muhilan’s recent statement to bring farmers, government agencies, and Udupi-Kasaragod Transmission Project Ltd. (UKTL) developer M/s Sterlite Power to the table for a dialogue has rekindled hopes of speedy completion of the 115-km transmission line that has already overshot the June 2023 deadline.

Responding to farmers’ complaints of ‘some private company’ erecting the transmission line on their land in a meeting on August 14 here, Mr. Muhilan categorically told them it was a government project that should be completed. Farmers’ concerns would be addressed in the joint meeting, he told them.

Envisaged by the Union Power Ministry in 2019, the 115-km 400 kV (quad) D/C UKTL will improve reliability and stability of power supply in northern Kerala and relieve congestion in southern States’ power corridors.

Karnataka was the major beneficiary of the project with Bangalore Electricity Supply Company getting 21.37% of power allocated through the agreement.

M/s Sterlite Power was awarded the project through competitive tariff bidding by the Ministry to build, own, operate, and maintain the line for 35 years and it secured ₹580 crore funding by Ministry’s REC Ltd. (formerly Rural Electrification Corporation) in June 2021.

The developer will evacuate more than 1,000 MW energy through the line and sell excess power to other southern States.

Obstacles