Central projects: land acquisition a daunting task

Stiff resistance to land survey for Kovvada plant; NAD in Vizianagaram district too opposed

Land acquisition has become a Herculean task for the overnment even for construction of Central Government projects.

The Government, which is facing stiff resistance for the construction of atomic power plant in Kovvada of Ranasthalm in Srikakulam district, is facing a similar situation in Vizianagaram district too, where it plans to construct a Naval Armament Depot.

According to sources, the Defence Ministry has directed the State government to identify land in Dattirajeru mandal of Vizianagaram district for the construction of the depot for the Eastern Naval Command as the existing one in Visakhapatnam could not meet all its requirements.

The revenue officials have reportedly visited several villages such as Pakivalasa, Komatapalli, V. Krishnapuram, and Maradam to find suitable land. The unexpected development flummoxed the villagers as they have to surrender fertile lands being used for cultivation of vegetables. Cultivation of vegetables is the prime source of income for many families in these villages.

With the support of the Left parties — the CPI(M) and the CPI — the villagers staged dharna opposing the setting up of the NAD in their vicinity.

CPI(M) Vizianagaram secretary Tammineni Suryanarayana told

The Hindu that the Government should spare fertile lands even if the facility was for Defence needs. Meanwhile, the NPCIL and revenue officials could not take up land survey in Kotapalem, Tekkali, Kovvada, and other places following resistance from the villagers.