Amusement park project near KRS: Karnataka HC asks for government affidavit on safety study on dam
Bengaluru: The Karnataka government, which has permitted the development of an amusement park on the lines of Disneyland near the Krishnaraja Sagar (KRS) in Mandya district, was directed by the High Court on Friday to submit an affidavit clarifying if any technical assessment was done on dam safety before approving the project proposal.
The project is being undertaken near the dam at an estimated cost of ₹2,663 crore under the public-private partnership.
The High Court bench of Chief Justice V Kameshwar Rao and Justice CM Joshi, which heard two public interest litigations (PILs) filed against the construction of the amusement park, has also demanded information regarding a proposal to construct infrastructure facilities to accommodate 20,000 to 25,000 people in an open theatre along with parking place to attend the proposed programme of ‘Cauvery Aarti’ near the KRS.
The petitioners, K Boraiah and four other farmers from Krishnaraja Sagar in Srirangapatna taluk, and Sunanda Jayaram, an agriculturist from Gejjalagere in Mandya taluk, have questioned the tenders issued by the government inviting proposals from private companies to develop the project and maintain it for 30 years. Sunanda Jayaram has questioned the in-principal approval given by the Water Resources Department to the Cauvery Neeravari Nigama Limited (CNNL) to utilise around Rs 92 crore to create permanent infrastructure for ‘Cauvery Aarti’.
Their PIL points out that the authorities had neglected the safety of the KRS while proposing the projects. They also argued that the HC had, in January 2024, banned all types of mining and quarrying activities within a 20-km radius of the dam till the completion of a study by experts. The HC had also directed authorities concerned to ensure that the decision be taken by a committee on dam safety, set up as per the provisions of the Dam Safety Act, 2021.
The government earlier pointed out that the tender for the project was not complete. While that for installing a statue of the Cauvery is complete, the work order was yet to be issued. The government documents produced before the court had reference to an old technical assessment report with regard to the impact of installing the statue and not other construction works.
The judges, hearing the petition, have asked the government as well as the CNNL to file affidavits clarifying on the technical assessment of the work on the project near the dam that had been undertaken after the State Advocate-General sought time to answer the specific query of the court on whether prior technical assessments were carried out in this regard, although assuring the court that safety of the dam has been kept in mind while approving the projects and that apprehensions of the petitioners are unfounded.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Power tariffs under BESCOM to rise from May 1
Bengaluru (PTI): Power bills for consumers under the Bangalore Electricity Supply Company Limited (BESCOM) will go up from May 1, following an order issued by the Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC) on Friday.
The hike comes after KERC allowed the BESCOM to recover a revenue deficit of Rs 2,068 crore incurred in 2024-25, from the consumers.
As a result, for every unit of electricity consumed in 2024-25, the customers will be charged an additional 56 paise, it said.
"BESCOM shall calculate, for each of the active consumers of FY2024-25 the amount to be recovered based on their actual energy consumption during FY2024-25. Such amount shall be recovered during FY 2026-27 in equal monthly instalments, to be called as 'FY25 True up Charges', commencing from the first meter reading date falling on or after 1 May 2026 and concluding with the reading date ending on 30 April 2027," the order said.
"It is further ordered that BESCOM shall maintain a separate head of account, allocated for the purpose, to record the adjustment of the said amount to ensure full recovery of the deficit," it added.
Similarly Chamundeshwari Electricity Supply Corporation Limited (CESC) has also recorded a revenue deficit of Rs 121.71 crore and can collect an additional 15 paisa per unit for consumption in 2024-25, official sources said.
