Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation (Tangedco), which is executive agency of the 2x800 MW Uppur supercritical thermal power project, is all set to issue ‘award letters’ fixing compensation to patta landholders and launching the process of awarding compensation.
Officials have sent a ‘draft award letter’ to the Commissioner for Land Administration (CLA) and propose to launch the compensation process after getting approval. The district administration will then issue award letters to land owners later this month specifying the area and quantum of compensation, officials said.
The government has recently issued a Government Order (GO), fixing the interest rate for awarding compensation to land owners. Tangedco has already deposited about ₹18 crore with the district administration for awarding compensation to owners of 408 acres of patta lands. The district administration has already alienated the lands.
“We hope to start the process by the end of this month,” officials said.
At present, Tangedco is in possession of 229.59 acres of government land and 408 acres of private patta lands. Acquisition of another 359 acres of patta lands will begin after the Madras High Court gives its verdict on cases filed by land owners. The ₹12,655 crore-project, scheduled for completion by end of 2019, is likely to suffer delay of two years due to problems and delay in land acquisition.
Meanwhile, Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL), which was entrusted with the task of establishing Boiler, Turbine and Generators (BTG), has completed 6,000 of 6,500 pile foundations. The foundations ranged from a depth of 14 to 30 meters and diameter of 60 to 76 cm. The column erection will begin soon.
Reliance Infrastructure Limited, which was awarded the ‘balance of project’ contract, awaits drawing approvals and allotment of lands to take up works, while Larson and Toubro, which was awarded ‘sea water intake and outfall system’, is carrying out its work in full swing.
The Ministry of Environment and Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has given its nod for laying underground pipeline in the mangrove forest area in coastal Morepannai for drawing and letting out sea water, the officials said.