Even as the NTPC Ramagundam has secured all permissions to set up the 25 MWs solar power plant in the coal belt area of Godavarikhani, Ramagundam TRS legislator S.Satyanarayana has raised a banner of revolt against the establishment of the solar power plant on the NTPC campus.
Ironically, the local TRS legislator is demanding the NTPC management to set up a medical college and an IT park in the said prime land allocated for the setting up of solar power plant. He is also demanding the management to construct houses for the contract labourers.
On the other hand, the NTPC management has been examining about the feasibility of setting up of solar power plants on their campus for the last three years.
Accordingly, it had prepared project report for setting up of 25 MWs of solar power plant and secured all clearances from the government.
It had also called tenders for the setting up of 10 MWs of solar power plant in the first phase and completes the project within 10 months. It had already levelled the area for setting up the solar panels, etc. in their own campus.
The TRS legislator along with his supporters staged a dharna at NTPC Ramagundam on Sunday evening against the alleged adamant attitude of NTPC management for not conceding their legitimate demand of shifting the solar power plant from the existing site to other rocky areas of their campus.
Talking to The Hindu , Mr. Satyanaryana said that “I had been opposing the solar power plant at the said site of the NTPC Ramagundam and urged them to allocate the site for the setting up of IT park in 25 acres and medical college in 35 acres”. But, the NTPC management was adamant and did not respect the sentiments of the locals, who want a medical and IT park, he added.
Alleging that the NTPC was doing only harm to the residents of Ramagundam region by emitting pollution through fly ash and giving only 30 per cent of power to the State, he asked what is wrong if NTPC management provides 24 hour power supply to the Ramagundam mandal on par with the employees of NTPC township.
Reiterating that he was not opposing the solar power plant, he said that the solar power plant can be established in other rocky areas.
“The solar power can be generated anywhere. But, the prime land lost by the people of Ramagundam people is irreparable”, he added. He threatened to intensify his agitation.
Published - April 15, 2013 02:10 am IST
