After overcoming many hurdles, the Srikakulam district administration could hand over 1,478 acres land out of the 2,078 acres required, to the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) for the construction of an atomic power plant in Kovvada and surrounding villages of Ranasthalam mandal. The process is expected to be completed by the month-end.
Joint Collector KVN Chakradhar Babu is holding a series of meetings with revenue officials to speed up the process as funds are readily available with the administration to pay compensation to the Project Displaced Persons (PDPs).
The NPCIL authorities deposited ₹384 crore with the the district administration for the purpose of land acquisition.
Each displaced villager is being given ₹18 lakh per acre apart from other benefits.
Model township
As part of the assurance, the government in association with NPCIL, will construct a model township at Dharmavaram of Etcherla mandal. Fishermen, who are the most affected, have agreed to shift to Dharmavaram as it is very close to sea coast.
“We have finalised designs for the construction of the township which will have facilities such as hospital, school, community hall, library and temples. Construction of three jetties is planned to benefit the fishermen community,” said Mr. Chakradhar Babu.
“We requested the NPCIL officials to construct the township for their own employees only after the construction of township for PDPs, and the response has been positive,” he added.
Boundary wall
NPCIL Chief Engineer M. Kotayya expressed happiness over the completion of land acquisition and handing over of the site to the corporation.
“We are going to construct boundary wall very soon,” he said.
Published - May 15, 2018 12:43 am IST