FAILURE OF INSULATORS AT UPCL

The saline water used for cooling the towers of coal based UPCL power plant at Nandikoor evaporating in to atmosphere has now been causing damage to the electric supply lines, transformers, roofing sheets, tractors and even areca and coconut plantations.

Raise of the saline content in atmosphere has been resulting in untimely power failures too.

The evaporated saline water, after joining in to atmosphere is being piled up on the power transmitting lines. The mist falling on the saline coatings, in the night, piled up on the live wires causes short circuits, leading to cutting of wires in the night with frequent power failure.

Men in the local MESCOM Sub Station have been tired of setting right the power supply after finding out short circuits in the line, in the early hours.

Tripping in Power supply line, in the 220 KV Nandikur-Padubidri lines with the mist falling on live wires with saline content every night, has been rampant since a month. A transformer at Kolachur installed a six month back also got corroborated causing damage to break insulators.

The roofing sheets that can last 15 to 20 years are corroded within six months of installation.

The fly ash generated by the coal-based power plant of Udupi Power Corporation Ltd (UPCL - formerly Nagarjuna).

The ash rises to the sky in thick clouds frequently when the wind blows, and the pollution and other problems created by flying ash have turned hazardous for the people living around the area.