Udupi-Hubli: The Udupi Power Corporation Ltd has secured environmental clearance to its second unit to generate 600 MW of power. The Commercial operation needs the state approval now for the new unit, said CM D V Sadananda Gowda here on Monday.

The state Pollution Control Board Chairman would go to UPCL site near Padubidri and give the clearance in a report to be approved by the state government soon, Gowda stated in Hubli.

The Government was making all efforts to secure adequate supply of Coal to the thermal power plants in the state(at Udupi, Bellary and Raichur) by contacting Maharashtra West Coal Mines Co., and the Mahanadi Coalfields in the neighbouring states.

Chattisgarh state has provided 200MW of power by sale to Karnataka, to tide over energy crisis. The state was entitled to a massive 1,250 MW of power from the Central Power Grid, CM reminded. The Union Government has been approached for supplies of coal too. The state’s shortage is 500MW per day now. The delegation of state representatives will be in Delhi on Oct.14 to discuss power problems with the Centre, he added.