The officials have launched the land acquisition (LA) process with lightning speed for construction of a captive jetty with minor port status by Anrak Aluminium Ltd (AAL) at Rajayyapeta village in Nakkapali mandal, about 60 km from here.
Anrak, in which Ras al-Khaimah (RAK) and Penna Group have equity, also got clearance for bauxite mining through AP Mining Development Corporation on a fast-track mode though it was a late entrant compared to Jindal South West Aluminium Ltd. Jindal is yet to get environmental clearance for mining by APMDC for its alumina refinery being set up in S. Kota mandal in Vizianagaram district.
LA notice was issued for acquiring 110.87 acres in Chandanada village, 2 km from Rajayyapeta where minor port is sanctioned, in vernacular dailies on August 15. In another notification issued on Tuesday, 102.56 acres was sought at Rajayyapeta village. The GO was sanctioning minor port was issued by Infrastructure and Investment Department on August 7.
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Incidentally, Anrak made a formal request to Chief Minister K. Rosaiah vide Letter No. AAL/VPT/1/2009-10 dated January 4, 2010.
Villagers' protest
Most of the villagers rejected the LA notices served under Section 41 of 1894 LA Act. The poor farmers, labourers and fishermen of the affected areas are seething with anger. An estimated 500 families will be hit due to LA.
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Proposal for any port or jetty should be considered only after a comprehensive environmental impact assessment. Going by the Centre's decision to impose embargo on expansion and initiation of new projects in the marine sector, all aspects should be studied thoroughly before going ahead with the Nakkapali project, says E.A.S. Sarma, former IAS officer and convener of Forum for Better Visakha. Hetero Drugs is setting up a pharma special economic zone in an area of 400 acres at Narsapuram village, close to the proposed jetty.
The MoU for the alumina project was signed in February, 2007. RAK Investment Authority had promised to launch operations within 36 months of getting clearances for the $2 billion project.
The APIIC had acquired 1925 acres in and around Rachapalli village with the promise of developing an industrial park. Anrak wants to set up 1.5-million tonne alumina refinery, 2.5 lakh tonne smelter and a captive power plant in the area.