Work on the much awaited 1,600-MW Uppur thermal power plant is all set to take off as the Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation Limited (TANGEDCO) has completed the Detailed Project Report (DPR) to seek clearance from the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF).
Collector K. Nanthakumar said that TANGEDCO has completed the DPR based on the district-level inputs and once the MoEF gives its nod, the process of land acquisition will commence.
About 300 acres of government land has already been identified and acquisition of 600 more acres of private land in Uppur, Valamayur and a small portion of land in Thirupalaikudi was at the initial stage and would be completed by the year end, he told
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He said after the MoEF gives its clearance, public hearing will be conducted during June-July this year, after which, work for establishing the 2x800-MW super critical coal based thermal plant will go on in full swing.
The Collector did not foresee any problem in the MoEF giving its clearance as the proposed site was located 18 km away from the Palk Bay. There were no national parks, wildlife sanctuaries or biosphere reserve within 10 km of the site, he pointed out.
More than 10 organisations, including the Madras School of Social Work, the Department of Ocean Engineering, IIT Chennai and RITES Limited have undertaken studies, the Collector said. The Rs.9,500-crore project would be established under the Built Operate and Transfer (BOT) model and 0.4 per cent of the project cost would be spent for the benefit of local people under the Corporate Social Responsibility, he said.
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Mr. Nanthakumar said the work regarding the proposed solar energy park was also progressing well.
The district administration has helped the Raasi Green Earth Energy Private Ltd (RGEE) to acquire about 500 acres of land near Paramakudi.
RGEE signed a pact with the Tamil Nadu Industrial Development (TIDCO) for establishing the Rs.920-crore park on 600 acre area.