Karnataka cabinet gives in-principle nod to set up nuclear power plant

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The Karnataka cabinet on July 17 granted in-principle approval for the establishment of a nuclear power plant in the state.

National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) had earlier suggested Vijayapura, Koppal, and Raichur as potential sites for the proposed nuclear power plant. However, state cabinet, which met on July 17, directed the PSU to explore additional locations across Karnataka and submit a revised proposal.

“We definitely need a nuclear power plant. But we want NTPC to carry out a feasibility study covering the entire state. The government will take a final decision based on that report,” Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister HK Patil told reporters after the meeting.

India has 25 nuclear reactors in operation in eight nuclear power plants, with a total installed capacity of 8,880 MW (8.8 GW), which the Centre wants to increase to 100 GW by 2047.

Also, read: Centre looking to cut turnaround time to set up nuclear power plants by five years

Among other key decisions, the cabinet approved the formation of five new corporations under the Greater Bengaluru Authority.

Also, read: Bengaluru to get 5 corporations, elections soon, says DK Shivakumar

In the agriculture sector, it cleared a proposal to establish a multi-product unit for processing and preserving mangoes and other horticultural produce on 28.3 acres in Yelavatti village, Haveri district. The Rs 35.07-crore project will be developed under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model as part of a food park initiative.

Additionally, a horticulture technology park will be set up in Sirivara village, Kanakagiri taluk, Koppal district, over 194.33 acres at an estimated cost of Rs 83.79 crore, also under the PPP model.

To boost tourism, the cabinet approved a Rs 166.22 crore project to develop the North Karnataka Tourist Circuit—comprising Hampi, Badami, Aihole, Pattadakallu, and Vijayapura—under the Design-Build-Finance-Operate-Transfer (DBFOT) model through the Karnataka Tourism Infrastructure Corporation.

In another major infrastructure initiative, the cabinet sanctioned Rs 128 crore for a five-year operation and maintenance (O&M) project to use treated wastewater from Bengaluru to refill 126 lakes in Kolar and Chikkaballapur districts via a lift irrigation system. Additionally, Rs 30 crore was approved for constructing a theme park within the historic Kittur Fort premises in Belagavi district.

The cabinet also decided to withdraw 29 land acquisition notifications issued by the Bangalore Development Authority under Section 48(1) of the Land Acquisition Act, 1894, where the acquired lands were later abandoned. “Notices will be issued to affected individuals, and disciplinary action will be initiated against the officials responsible,” Patil added.

Also, read: Nuclear Power: How NTPC may steal a march over its competitors