NGO Urges Karnataka DCM for Uninterrupted Power Supply to Dakshina Kannada and Udupi Districts
Mumbai: Jayashreekrishna Parisara Premi Samiti, a prominent non-governmental organization (NGO), has formally appealed to Karnataka’s Deputy Chief Minister (DCM) and Energy Minister, Hon. D.K. Shivakumar, for the provision of 24×7 uninterrupted power supply to the undivided Dakshina Kannada district, encompassing Mangaluru and Udupi.
Representatives of the Samiti, including Founder Thonse Jayashrikrishna Shetty and Vice President K P Jagadish Adhikari, met DCM Shivakumar in his office on March 25, 2025. They detailed the persistent difficulties faced by residents and businesses due to the recurring disruptions in the power supply to the districts. The delegation also sought the intervention of Hon. Speaker U. T. Khader and former Union Minister Veerappa Moily on the matter.
This appeal follows a press conference held in Udupi on March 15, 2025, where key members of the Samiti, including Founder Thonse Jayashrikrishna Shetty, President Nithyananda Kotian, Vice President K P Jagadish Adhikari, District Vice President Professor Shankar, District Secretary Surendra Mendan, Joint Secretary Shekhar Gujjarbettu, and member Arun Sanil, voiced their concerns over the unreliable power situation.
The Samiti emphasized its pivotal role in advocating for the establishment of the Nagarjuna power plant in Padubidri. “Jayashreekrishna Parisara Premi Samiti fought for six years to establish the Nagarjuna power plant in Padubidri,” stated a representative. “Political leaders, social activists, religious heads, and the general public of the district were involved in this struggle. The committee successfully raised awareness about the importance of the power plant for the holistic development of the region.”
The 1300 MW thermal power plant in Padubidri, Udupi, has been operational since 2010. However, the Samiti argues that the continued lack of a consistent power supply in Udupi and Dakshina Kannada remains a significant impediment to progress.
“However, despite the existence of a major power plant in Udupi, uninterrupted power supply remains unfulfilled, causing deep disappointment,” the Samiti stated. According to Mundkoor Surendra Salian, General Secretary of the Samiti, a formal letter demanding immediate action had previously been sent to then-Energy Minister K G George. The Samiti now hopes that with the change in leadership, their renewed appeal will be met with a positive and effective response, ensuring a reliable power supply for the benefit of the region.
