KODAGU Hotspot of Bio diversity

                                        Power needs of KODAGU district:

1. KODAGU known for Coffee, Fruit orchards &  spices has a distinct mark in Indian map. This tiny District ruled by different dynasties  transformed itself to western style by the influence of  British rulers & their colonial interest  in raising Coffee Plantations, growing orange,spices like cardamom & pepper in thick evergreen forest lines of Brahmagiri, Talakaveri & Pushpagiri Ranges  of Western Ghats  mountains & valleys rich in Bio diversity of flora & fauna. Government of India & Government of Karnataka has set up Western Ghat Task Force and  Forest Conservation & Wild life protection zones in Kodagu. These  are formed for conservation & development  of forests. These  Forests  form sanctuaries in South Kodagu having links with Forests of neighbouring states of Kerala & Tamilnadu. 
2. Madikeri  the capital town of this Hill District at a height of 3550 feet above MSL  with rising winding roads from all the four corners from Coastal Karnataka and the plains of Karnataka.This hill Region is part of MYSORE REVENUE Division. Kodagu is now divided in to sixteen Revenue Hobli of Five Taluks. Kushalnagar & Ponnampet are newly formed Taluks carved out of SOMWARPET & VIRAJPET.   Population of the  district is 5,25,000 with people of different ethnicity culture & spoken dialects ( Kodava Thak, Arebashe, Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam, Urdu, Navayaithi, Tulu & other languages).
3. Madikeri Town is managed by CMC with 31 wards is the Taluk and  District head quarters.      Population of town is 35000. Taluk  is divided in to Four Revenue Hoblis i) Madikeri Kasaba ii) Sampaje iii) Bhagamandala iv) Napoklu with 67 villages & population of 1,20,000. Power supply to these villages is now catered by Ten Rural feeders of Madikeri 66 & MURNAD 33KV substations. Per capita Energy consumption in Madikeri Town is 620 units per annum and that of Madikeri Rural is 320 units. Madikeri Taluk occupies 40 % of District geographical area of 4109 sq kms. Brahmagiri & Pushpagiri Biospheres  forms the western boundary of  the District  with  Coastal Karnataka  and KERALA. NH-275 National Highway and  SH-27/ 89 /90/ 91 State Highways connects the Districts with neighbouring Districts. 
4. Post independence & State  reorganisation  KODAGU-"C"  State merged with Mysore ( Now  Karnataka) State. Mysore Electricity  entered the District in the year 1961 by extending 66 KV  transmission line from KR Nagar to KUSHALNAGAR.  1961 to 2022 Electrical demand in the District has increased with 100% Electrification.  Kodagu is dependant on South west Monsoon for growing paddy in the valley. River Kaveri flowing from east to west & other west flowing rivers drains the rain water fallen on its catchment area. Kodambur River in Karike, Payaswini in Sampaje Ghat & Kumaradhara  in Pushpagiri hills are west flowing rivers of valley. 
   
5. HYDEL power potential of the District is not fully utilised. BARAPOLE HYDEL was planned by earlier COORG  C State and  shelved later due to environmental objections from farmers of South Kodagu. HARANGI Project across river Hatti/ Harangi is Irrigation oriented. Making use of the  embedded Pen Stock in the Dam, Government issued letter of Intent to M/s EDCL to establish 2*4.6 MWs Hydel power. which generates power from June to October and evacuates energy  at 66 KV to Kushalnagar 220/66 KV station. 2.9 MWs Hydel power plant is established near BEEDALI village of Somwarpet Taluk near Mallalli Falls. M/s Bhoruka Power Corporation Ltd has established 2*5.5 MWs hydel plant in KARIKE village of BHAGAMANDALA HOBLI pumping energy at 33 KV to SULLIA 33/11 KV station by 33 KV DC line with Coyote ACSR. KPCL Survey & Investigation Division had formulated Hydel project across  Dabbadka Stream ( Tributary of River Payaswini) with Road bridge cum Dam across the river near Dabbadka Forest Office  .and establishh run of the river 12.0 Mws Generating station at Chembu ( near Anehalla Limits) Letter of intent  issued to M/s Subhash Projects by Government is not taken up. 
   
6. SAMPAJE HOBLI: This hobli stretches from Peraje Village Panchayath on Kerala border to Kaggodlu Village, with Revenue Hobli ( Nad) office in SAMPAJE. From last few years the tail end villages of Chembu & Sampaje Panchayath are experiencing low voltage and power interruptions. PERAJE Village is fed from Sullia MUSS. 
   
7. KPTCL & CHESCOM have conducted techno economic feasibility study and  examined the need for 66/11 KV substation in SAMPAJE Kodagu  and formed Project to extend 66 kv transmission line from Madikeri to SAMPAJE &  establish 66/11 Kv 1*12.5 MVA substation to feed "SAMPAJE,CHEMBU & PERAJE" Village Panchayath 11 KV distribution. 
   
8. Power Grid planners are planning to establish 400 KV Main Receiving Station in Mangalore Taluk near Ganjimata limits & Yetthinahole project limits in Shiradi Ghat . 220 KV/66 KV Receiving  station near Kaniyur ( Arkalgud Taluk near Mallapatna on Hassan Kodagu border   ) with source from 400/220 Kv Central Power Grid station at SHANTHIGRAMA. 
   
9. Kodagu Grid need to have connectivity of second power source to meet N-1 requirements stipulated by Central Electricity Authority.  Kodagu has Seven 66 Kv & Four 33 Kv substations with 83 nos of 11 KV feeders. Hence as per present plan of KPTCL  Kodagu will have Two 220 KV on its outer periphery on  East & North Eastern parts. Technical feasibility of establishing 220 KV in Madikeri outskirts for equitable distribution of power to Madikeri, Bhagamandala, Murnad, Sampaje and to Border substations of SULLIA Taluk ( Sullia, Bellare, Guthigar, Subramanya). Kadavinakote- Kaniyar  (Arkalgud Taluk) need to be considered.  
   
10. Virajpet 66 kv the present tail end of 66 KV line is at a circuit length of 80 Kms from Kushalnagar 220/66 KV station. Proposed HUNSUR 220 KV will reduce the length only by 14 Kms. The present single circuit from proposed HUNSUR to Ponnampet is being strengthened by Double Circuit. Hanagodu, Proposed Balele, Ponnampet, Srimangala, Proposed Hudikeri, Virajpet, Proposed Kalathmadu will be on this new DC line. 
    
11. Proposals for new 66 KV lines: i)  Drawing of 66 KV Double circuit Transmission lines from Kushalnagar to Virajpet/Ponnampet via Siddapura 66 Kv is under study by Chief Engineer Transmission Zone Mysore.ii)Linking present 66 KV EDCL line from proposed KUDIGE substation to Madapura- HS Halli ( Somwarpet Taluk) via Yadavanad-II and Kajoor need to be considered.  The alignment of 66 KV from HS Halli to Madapura new Substation can be converted as Multi Circuit Multi Voltage transmission line( MCMV).