Surprised by ₹15-crore estimate to level land for power substation, Minister orders verification

MESCOM has made a claim that the amount is required for such a purpose at Siddakatte in Bantwal taluk

District in-charge Minister Kota Srinivas Poojari and senior officials were in for a surprise on Monday when officials from Mangalore Electricity Supply Company (MESCOM) informed them that ₹15 crore was required to level the land meant to construct a power substation in Bantwal taluk. Chairing a meeting on issues related to power substations and power lines here, Mr. Poojari said that the administration will recommend stringent action against officials concerned if it was found that the cost is exaggerated. He directed engineers from the Public Works and Panchayat Raj departments and Nirmithi Kendra to inspect the proposed land and submit a report after verifying the claim. MESCOM had in 2014 proposed to construct a 110 kV substation at Siddakatte in Bantwal taluk and prepared an estimate. The company had said that ₹15 crore was required to level the land before constructing the substation. Mr. Poojari said that if the estimate is found to be exaggerated during inspection, the government will be asked to initiate action against MESCOM officials concerned.