The Karnataka High Court has directed the Chief Secretary, Home Secretary and the Director-General & Inspector General of Police (DG&IGP) to provide the necessary protection to the Power Grid Corporation of India (PGCI) to carry out a power transmission project at Yelahanka.
A vacation bench of Justice P.S. Dinesh Kumar issued the direction on Thursday while disposing a petition filed by PGCI seeking direction to the authorities for providing necessary assistant/protection for completion of the project as per the direction issued by the High Court in December 2013.
PGCI has been executing the work on Loop-In and Loop-Out (LILO) of 400 KV S/C Nelamangala-Hoody transmission line and LILO 400 KV S/C Somanahalli-Hoody transmission line at Yelahanaka since 2014. Commissioning of the transmission system is expected to vastly improve the power supply position of Bengaluru, particularly the northern parts which is witnessing industrial growth.
Some land-owners started obstructing work seeking more compensation. When the Deputy Commissioner (Bengaluru Urban) failed to resolve the issue, PGCI moved the High Court, which in 2013 directed land-owners to approach the civil court and not to obstruct the work.
It had directed the DC and the jurisdictional superintendent of police to provide protection to the corporation for laying the transmission line. PGCI has already deposited ₹9 crore with the civil court for disbursement as compensation.
In its present petition, PGCI complained that the the project is being hampered by land-owners but the police is not providing the required assistance.
Meanwhile, the government counsel gave an undertaking to the court that the police shall provide necessary protection if a request is made.
The court specifically directed the DG&IGP to provide protection as and when requested by PGCI to complete the project.
