: The Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL), which is eager to construct atomic power plant in Kovvada of Ranasthalam mandal, transferred Rs.389 crore in the Srikakulam Collector’s account on Thursday for the implementation of the R& R package for the rehabilitation of the people who would lose their lands for the project.

NPCIL planned six nuclear reactors of 1,594 MW each. The entire project has to be completed by 2022.

NPCIL Project Director GV Ramesh, Srikakulam Collector P. Lakshmi Narasimham, Joint Collector Vivek Yadav who had several meetings in the last few months, could convince the top officials of the corporation about the necessity of speedy implementation of the R&R package as per the new Land Acquisition Act 2013. With the constant persuasion, the amount got transferred on the last day of the financial year.

The corporation is expected to transfer remaining Rs.111 crore in the next phase as it promised to transfer Rs. 500 crore for the construction of colonies and pay the compensation for the lands. In fact, it is estimated that the total amount needed is Rs.1, 200 crore, but Rs.500 crore is sufficient to meet the immediate needs of the R&R package.

Top priority

Both the Central and State governments are giving top priority to the project as only 2,000 acres of land is required. The NPCIL has agreed to deposit the amount with the State government to facilitate payment of compensation to land owners who part with their land for the project.

The total compensation to be paid is estimated to be Rs.940 crore, and it is likely to go up further if the government accepts the demand of the locals for a remunerative price for their lands. The project, which was proposed almost eight years ago, has remained only on paper all these years with too many hurdles in acquiring 2,475 acres of land.

According to sources, the government will still face many hurdles since stringent norms laid down in the new Land Acquisition Act-2013. Public hearing and consent of 80 per cent of people are mandatory.

Additional security measures such as jobs for the eligible persons and livelihood for the landless people living in the villages have to be implemented.

Social impact survey will be conducted to identify the real problems of the people and compensation will be fixed in accordance with the ground situation.