Andhra Pradesh: Kavali nuclear power project proposal gains momentum

TIRUPATI: KOVVADA Nuclear Park Project Director G Venkata Ramesh, who is on a two-day visit to Tirupati, said that the nuclear power project reports of AP sent by the State government, have been cleared by the Centre. Speaking to Express here on Wednesday, Ramesh said that the proposed nuclear power plant at Kavali will be set up with total Russian collaboration. “At the time of proposal, the project cost of 6000 MW nuclear power plant was `20 crore per megawatt.

At present, the cost is higher and it has been estimated at `25 crore per megawatt,” he said. Basic reports and land inspection in Chennaya Palem, Thummalapalli, Alluru and Ramapuram for setting up of the nuclear power plant in Kavali have been completed and reports sent to the higher authorities. The first three villages for the nuclear power project have been cleared by the Centre. The fourth place has not been finalised yet. Several land investigation reports of surface and deep soil are required for setting up of a nuclear power plant, he said. For Kovvada Nuclear Park, 600 acres of land which has been already alienated for the project, is yet to be handed over to the authorities. About 2,000 acres of land has been handed over to the project authorities till now.

A compensation of Rs 18 lakh per acre has been paid to the displaced for the land acquired for the project. There is some delay in payment of compensation due to some minor issues in land acquisition. Already we have the designs for 350 acres for rehabilitation of the project oustees. About 250 acres of land has been demarcated for the project office, staff quarters and other allied activities of the nuclear power project. The estimated cost of 960 MW Kovvada nuclear power project is 20 crore per megawatt and it will come up in an area of 2,600 acres, he added.