Illegal pole installation by solar power firm along roads, waterbodies cause concern at Radhapuram

The installation of over 100 electric poles inside water bodies, irrigation channels and along roads by an upcoming private solar power generation unit without obtaining mandatory permission has caused concern among residents of a few villages at Radhapuram taluk in Tirunelveli distrct.

The villagers are annoyed because any possible collapse of the unauthorised electric poles may pose a serious threat to them, their families, houses, livestock and other properties.

According to them, a private solar power company that is coming up at Mudavankulam near Radhapuram for generating 25 MW electricity is establishing its unit on 108 acres for generating 5 MW power in the first phase. Even as work is under way, the company is installing 120 electric poles for a distance of 12 km to transmit power generated in the unit to a nearby sub-station to be subsequently connected to the grid.