(ET)
The Power Grid Corporation is trying to once again revive the transmission line project connecting Chhattisgarh and Pugalur in Tamil Nadu. In a statement sent to TOI, the corporation said it is safe to have the transmission towers in agriculture fields and there is no danger to either human beings or animals and plants.
The project plans to bring 800 kilovolt (kV) ultrahigh-voltage direct current (UHVDC) system to Tamil Nadu and the power will be shared with Kerala. The 1850km transmission line project has been stalled in Tamil Nadu as farmers in the western districts are opposing setting up the towers on their land. The Power Grid Corporation would make efforts to convince the farmers, said an official.
State power minister P Thangamani had held several rounds of talks with farmers’ associations to get their support for the project. As farmers suggested laying of underground cables, Thangamani said it was not possible as the voltage in the line would be very high. “When electricity passes through transmission lines, it generates electromagnetic fields (EMF) due to its inherent characteristic. It is similar to the EMF caused by mobile phones, TVs, Wi-Fi, radio and telecom towers. People are opposing the project owing to misconception,” said a senior official in the Power Grid.
