Erection of HT line faces stiff opposition from Erode farmers

The Power Grid Corporation of India Limited and Tamil Nadu Transmission Corporation Limited have proposed to erect transmission towers on agriculture lands in as many as 14 western districts of the State. The proposed power line is likely to cut through farmlands in districts such as Karur, Erode, Namakkal, Salem, Coimbatore, Dharmapuri, Krishnagiri, Tiruvannamalai, Dindigul and Tirupur.

Opposing the project, the farmers urged the State and Central governments to lay underground cables or proceed with an alternative route without disturbing the farmlands.

“Towers will be set up in farmlands and a range of restrictions will be imposed on farmers from utilising their own land for even agricultural purposes. If high-voltage lines run overhead, our lands will lose their market value,” said S Chinnasamy, a farmer.

Stating that they won’t allow the project at any cost, the aggrieved farmers gathered at Thindal for the protest. They also claimed that they weren’t compensated for the land to be acquired for erecting the towers. However, the police removed the farmers forcibly by terming it as unlawful since permission was denied for them to hold the agitation.

While a majority left the spot, three farmers led by Munusamy of Tamil Nadu Vivasayigal Sangam were arrested for getting into an argument with the cops. A large posse of police personnel were posted at the spot to prevent any untoward incidents. Meanwhile, another group of farmers later submitted a petition to District Collector S Prabhakaran demanding the release of the arrested farmers.