After long wait, Malekudiya village finally gets electricity

MANGALURU: Nagesh from Banjarumale, one of the thick reserve forests of the Western Ghats in Charmadi range, need not depend on hydel or solar energy any more. He now does not need to trek for several kilometres to charge his cellphone. The village has 46 houses, and Malekudiya tribals mostly reside here. The village has finally been electrified, after decades since the demand was made.
This is thanks to the state government's 'Sowbhagya' scheme, where Rs 1.2 crore has been spent on the electrification of this tribal area. The Banjarumale village, under Neriya village panachayat, situated in Belthangady taluk, is 90 km from Mangaluru. From Belthangady taluk headquarters to Banjarumale village via Kakkinje, the distance is about 40km.
Nagesh, an agriculturist and resident of Banjarumale, says that though the government had sanctioned funds for the electrification of the village, it hit a roadblock due to reserve forest policies, whereby electrical wires cannot be passed through the forest. There was a requirement for trees to be felled to pass an electricity line to the village, which was denied by the forest department. Talks were held with forest department officials in this regard, but they failed. However, currently, an electricity line has been taken through a private estate to Banjarumale village. Electrification of the village was completed in the first week of June.
Mescom sources said they have laid 6.4 km of high tension line and 5.3 km of low tension line to the village.
They have used three 25kV power transporters.
"Electricity was one of the basic amenities we have been demanding since independence. Proper roads, drinking water supply, mobile network, hospitals and schools are needed here. One has to travel 18 km on a treacherous road from Kakkinje to reach Banjarumale, and our problems get aggravated during the rainy seasons, where some places get inundated," says Nagesh. Only SUVs can manoeuvre on this road, and they charge Rs 1,200 for a two-way journey," says Nagesh.
Village used hydel, solar power
Recalling how the village got power, Naveen Malekudiya, a graduate, who works as a driver in the village, says about 10 houses got power using hydel and solar power.
"The families from the other houses charged their cellphones, lights and other electrical equipment at these houses," he said.
He added that many girls who wanted to marry boys from this village were hesitant as the village had no power, and as it was also difficult to reach by road.
"Due to electrification of the village, youngsters like us hope that we will get suitable proposals," he said with a smile.