Put on the fast track, works in the 2x800 MW Uppur supercritical thermal power plant has gained momentum with Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) completing more than 50% of piling works and Tamil Nadu generation and distribution corporation (Tangedco) opening its site office for close coordination.
Tangedco, the executing agency, fighting a legal battle to secure the remaining 359 acres of patta lands, has paved way for the three contractors – the BHEL, Reliance Infrastructure Limited and Larson and Toubro to continue their works unhindered. “We have speeded up the work and it is going on in full swing,” Tangedco officials said.
The ₹12,655 crore power project would be boon to this backward district, they said. BHEL, which was entrusted with the major task of establishing Boiler, Turbine and Generators (BTG), has started bringing in machineries such as stators and electro static precipitators. It has already completed more than 50% of the 6,000 odd pilings, each measuring to the depth of 14 to 22 meters and started fabrication works and power home structures, they said. The Reliance Infrastructure Limited which has won the balance of project contract has commenced the preliminary and enabling works and this was expected to speed up after Tangedco resolved the legal wrangles and handed over the 359 acres of patta lands, they said.
The L&T which was awarded the ‘sea water intake and outfall system’ has completed the enabling work and was presently carrying out pipeline fabrication work, slab and high girder casting work, officials said. Tangedco has taken possession of 229.59 acres of government land and 408 acres of private patta lands.
The Madras High Court after completing hearings, reserved orders in the case relating to the acquisition of 359 acres of patta lands for the project.