A high-level team of Sumitomo Corporation began its visit in Srikakulam district with a low-profile with the reported suggestion from the Centre. The team visited SM Puram, Dharmapuri, Koyyam, Ponduru and other places on Tuesday, with the assistance from revenue and APGenco officials. The team headed by Project In-charge Yamamoto inspected the proposed villages for the construction of 4,000 MW ultra super critical thermal project.
On the first day, Japanese delegates visited vacant lands in Ponduru mandal and verified about the rail connectivity for coal transport and other logistics. “It is completely eco-friendly project and does not cause much pollution. The government will also pay decent compensation to the evacuees ,” MLA Kuna Ravikumar added.
Left parties strongly opposed the visit of Sumitomo team, saying that no thermal project would be eco-friendly and lead to destruction in the district.CPI (M) Srikakulam District Secretary Bhaviri Krishna Murthy said that farmers would strongly oppose the project since it would lead to displacement of people and cause pollution. “We will take up the issue in CPI (M)’s 21st National Conclave to be held in Visakhapatnam in April. The party will not allow both thermal and nuclear projects in the district. The government should relealise that six persons were already killed while opposing projects,” he added.
