Date:20/08/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/08/20/stories/2008082054400300.htm

Karnataka - Bijapur

People urged not to oppose thermal plant in Bijapur

Staff Correspondent

BIJAPUR: The people of Bijapur are opposing the setting up of a coal-based 4,000-MW power plant because of insufficient knowledge about thermal plants, , Neeru Beku Samiti president Vishwanath Bhavi has said.

In a press release here on Tuesday, he said that emissions from the plant would be processed to prevent pollution. The water used for cooling would be recycled and could be reused. The fly ash generated could be used by cement factories, Mr. Bhavi said.

Taking the example of the Raichur Thermal Power Station, he said the plant had got ISO 14001 certification for its efficient management of waste material.

Commenting on statements by environmentalists, Mr. Bhavi said they were trying to create fear among farmers by saying that crops grown in a radius of 100 km around the plant would be affected, and people would suffer from diseases.