Coastal Karnataka officials said on Thursday that dwindling water levels in state reservoirs are already curbing electricity output, prompting Energy and Tourism Minister K.J. George to label the Sharavathi and Warahi pumped‑storage projects as indispensable for meeting future demand.
Speaking after a site visit to the Thrasi‑Maravante beach development zone, the minister highlighted that the Sharavathi dam, originally constructed during Jawaharlal Nehru’s tenure and inaugurated under Lal Bahadur Shastri, now supports a 1,000 MW hydro‑electric plant. He noted that the initial reservoir required thousands of acres and displaced a comparable number of families.
According to George, a pumped‑storage facility at Sharavathi could be built on just 125 acres, delivering up to 3,000 MW of power. Of this, 120 acres would accommodate the necessary pipelines. The Warahi scheme, by contrast, would occupy only 40‑50 acres, allowing recycled water from the dam to generate electricity at a relatively low cost.
Accompanying legislators from Kundapura inspected the proposed Warahi site, confirming the modest land footprint. The minister dismissed claims that environmental activists are broadly opposed, asserting that the local populace recognises the projects’ benefits.
On the administrative front, the Sharavathi proposal has already secured clearances from the state’s environment department and other relevant agencies before being forwarded to the central government. A central review team is now on the ground, and a detailed report is awaited. George refuted circulating rumours that the plan had been rejected, insisting that approval is imminent.
The Warahi project is currently in the DPR (detailed project report) stage. Once finalised, the report will be circulated among state departments for endorsement, after which comprehensive project details will be released to the public.
When asked about a separate political comment linking MLA Pradeep Ishwar to a potential return of former chief minister Siddaramaiah, George declined to comment, directing the question back to the MLA and stating that any decision on Siddaramaiah’s future role rests with him and senior party leadership.
Image for illustration purposes only
📰 Source: Vartha Bharati Udupi