Package for people hit by Edamon-Kochi power line

The State government has issued orders formulating a special compensation package for landowners in the Edamon-Kochi sector where Power Grid Corporation of India will operate a 400-kV high-capacity transmission corridor.

The work on the stretch had been halted owing to protests from the people in the affected area.

The transmission line is part of the Tirunelveli-Madakkathara (Thrissur) power line, primarily intended to evacuate power from the Kudankulam nuclear power plant. The segments between Thirunelveli and Edamon and Pallikkara (Ernakulam) to Thrissur had already been completed.

Rs.341-crore package

According to the orders issued by the Chief Secretary, the package, worth Rs.341 crore, will be shared equally by the government and the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB). The amount for implementing the special package will be met by the KSEB by taking loan and the government share is to be granted subsequently. The special package is being provided as a special case and subject to the condition that the same will not be applicable in any other case or quoted as a precedent.

380 houses

There are about 380 houses existing under the line. In the event of inevitable the electric line being drawn over the houses, a special package of Rs.1 lakh each will be paid to the owners as a one time settlement.

The compensation already decided for locating the tower in an area, in respect of garden land (including rubber plantation), will be increased from 70 per cent to 100 per cent of the land value. Similarly, the compensation already decided for tower standing area of paddy fields, will be increased from 40 per cent to 100 per cent of the land value.

If tall towers are not feasible in the rubber plantations due to technical reasons and all rubber trees are to be cut down, then 100 per cent land compensation will be paid in those areas.

The Power Grid Corporation has a 400 kV transmission station at Areekkode, near Kozhikkode, on the Mysore-Areekkode line. The power highway would connect the State to the national grid, facilitating power transmission from other States to Kerala, with minimum transmission loss.