CONSTRUCTION of the Black Point power line will go ahead despite opposition from legislators and residents.
At a joint meeting of the Health and Environment Affairs panel yesterday, legislators unanimously opposed the Government's move to proceed with a power line in the Yick Yuen area, Tuen Mun, because of health fears. They also urged the Government to decide promptly whether to re-route the line.
But officials maintained construction must start early next month.
'We cannot wait as it could take a few years to carry out land resumptions and legal procedures. Electricity supply to the 1.7 million people in the district would be affected adversely,' said Deputy Secretary for Planning, Environment and Lands Canice Mak Chun-fong.
He said the power line and towers could still be relocated but taxpayers would have to pay the extra cost of up to $100 million.
The 52-kilometre power line will cost $1.5 billion, the section in Yick Yuen around $100 million, according to China Light and Power.
