KOCHI: Electricity minister's office has given an explanation regarding KSEB's mass cutting of banana trees in a farmer's field at Ilangadam, Puthuppady, Kothamangalam. Minister's office informed that the banana leaf had hit the electricity wire starting a fire and the banana trees were cut down to fix the fault of the 220 KV line urgently.

The minister's office stated that the concerned officials informed that the banana trees growing near the line were urgently cut because it was necessary to restore the Idukki-Kothamangalam 220 KV line and there was a possibility of danger to human life. When the KSEB staff inspected the spot, it was also found that a woman living nearby had suffered a minor electric shock. The fault in the said line needs to be resolved if the additional generating capacity from the Idukki hydro-electric project is to be utilised. The minister's office also said that there was a need to take immediate action due to the urgent importance of the situation.

The minister's office also stated that the Transmission Director of KSEB has been instructed to take a decision in consultation with the Agriculture Department officials to provide appropriate assistance by considering it as a special case.

The incident happened last Friday. Anish, a young farmer of Kothamangalam, said that 406 banana trees were destroyed by the KSEB officials. Banana trees were cut down without any warning even though it has been cultivated for years in the same field. The young farmer also complained that KSEB was not ready to approach him before destroying so many banana trees. Anish also stated that if he had been contacted, he could have thought of alternative measures.

Bananas grown ahead of the Onam market were destroyed due to KSEB's action. Most of the trees that were cut were ready to be harvested. Anish said that there was a loss of Rs 4 lakhs.