PANJIM, May 22 -- Power Minister Ramkrishna 'Sudin' Dhavalikar on Tuesday claimed that the Goa Tamnar Power Transmission Project is required for the State as it was capable of handling 1,200 MW of power and would be completed by August this year, evoking strong reactions from the activists, who have termed the remark as "stupid" and the project as "threat to ecology" as it is supposed to pass through the Western Ghats.

Addressing a press conference in the city, Dhavalikar said, "Tamnar power line infrastructure capable of handling 1,200 MW power is almost ready in the State. Only seven 400 KVA towers from Colvale to Dharbandora sub-station need to be completed, after which the project will be completed by August this year."

He said that...