NPDCL told to remove electric poles erected in reserve forest area of Kothagudem

Electricity poles erected without permission in the Bangaruchelaka reserve forest of Kothagudem district have sparked controversy. The Forest Department issued a notice to NPDCL, warning of legal action if the poles are not removed, while NPDCL claims they had clearances to meet farmers’ needs.

Kothagudem: Electricity poles installed in Bangaruchelaka reserve forest of Chatakonda wildlife management area, Kinnerasani division in the district have led to a controversy.

It was said that as many as 32 electric poles have been erected under the limits of Banjara gram panchayat in Paloncha mandal in Chatakonda forest range without any prior permission from the forest department.

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Forest range officer (WLM Chatakonda), P Kanakamma has issued a notice to the NPDCL assistant engineer (operations), Paloncha rural, to remove the electric poles erected by the contractor forthwith.

The area in which the electric poles were erected falls under the wildlife sanctuary and any non-forest activity requires prior permission from the National Wildlife Board. Therefore the electricity department violated the forest rules, the FRO stated.

If the officials concerned fail to remove the electric poles immediately action would be taken as per the law, she warned. Meanwhile, the NPDCL officials reportedly claimed that the poles were installed to meet farmers’ needs and asserted that they had the necessary clearances.