Udupi: Vinay Kumar Sorake, Urban Development Minister said on Friday that he was not opposed to the expansion of a power plant at Udupi Power Corporation Ltd., at Nandikoor near Yellur which power has an essential requirement for us.

He is addressing to media persons at Udupi, said that coal dominated power plant we had a tremendous effect to the environment and the public near to the plant. Hence he wanted it to be converted from coal based to a gas based plant for the better as far as environmental concerns. Then we would solve almost all the environmental problems as such.

Since the plant was now a coal-based one, the people in the surrounding villages were facing many problems. Nearly 100 wells in the vicinity of the plant had got contaminated.

There were also complaints of saline water from the plant sometimes entering the fields around and damaging the crops.
The seashore fishermen were yet to receive the compensation of Rs. 7 crore promised to them when the Yeddyurappa Government was in power.

In regard to expansion of the plant is concerned, he discussed with the power Minister D. K. Shivakumar and will discussed in a cabinet meeting. He also brings into the notice of chief minister in regard to the problems facing by the people around the plant areas and take necessary steps to prevent the obstacles for the people.
Asked about the notification of land acquisition for Suzlon, which published in Mumbai News paper and Whatsapp, he said he didn’t have any knowledge about that and would discuss the matter with the concerned officials.

On complaints regarding the representation of minorities in the coming ZP and TP elections, he said that while giving tickets the winning factor is evaluated and given the ticket. We have the government in the state, will give other chances for the deserved candidates who wasn’t given the chance in the election.

During the press meet at Udupi Press Club Diwakar Shetty, Deviprasad Shetty, Mahabala Kundar, Narasimhamurthy, Habib Ali and other congress leaders were present.