The State government’s announcement to supply 100 units of free power per household has no relevance in Kathirimalai hamlet found in a remote location on Bargur Hills in the district’s Anthiyur block.
This hamlet has been without power since Independence. And there is no scope for Kathirimalai, with 119 voters, to get power connection through transmission lines .
It lacks a proper road and people trek through thick forests for several km to reach the village. For Kathirimalai to have thermal power, a transmission line will have to be laid over a distance of seven km from the nearest point.
But, installing a transmission line is not possible owing to possible threats to wildlife and the steepness of terrain in the dense reserve forest area, District Forest Officer of Erode Division Nagarajan said.
Tangedco sources said the decks have been cleared for installing solar lamps free of cost at Kathirimalai.
The lamps were sanctioned by the government following a recommendation made by the district administration.
