Tata Power has received a much-needed boost to kick off its 2,400 mw imported coal-based power project in the coastal Raigad district as 80% of the land owners in the region have given their consent for the acquisition of land required for the project. Nearly 460 hectare will be required for the project and it will be completed in two phases, 1,600 mw in phase-I and the remaining 800 mw in phase-II. The project entails a total investment of Rs 10,000 crore.
The land acquisition is expected to be completed by January 2010 and the company hopes to start construction by March 2010. The project, which was proposed by Tata Power through MoU with the Maharashtra government on April 4, 2005, was caught in controversy over land acquisition due to the strong opposition from the localities.
Maharashtra energy minister and member of the state rehabilitation authority Sunil Tatkare, told FE, ?Nearly 293 families of the total 367 project-affected families have given their consent for land acquisition which is an important development. Besides, the rehabilitation authority has approved Tata Power’s rehabilitation package which comprises payment of Rs 10 lakh per acre, additional Rs 5 lakh in lieu of 12.5% developed land. Initially, the company will pay Rs 2 crore each to Dherand and Sahapur villages for carrying out various projects for civic and infrastructure facilities. The company will provide Rs 25 lakh annually for maintenance of these amenities and after every three years it will increase this amount by 10%.? The minister informed that Tata Power has also agreed to construct a 20-bed ultra modern hospital in the area.
A state government official said the land acquisition will not been done under the Land Revenue Act but under the Maharashtra Industrial Development Act. The state-run Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC), which is a nodal agency for the industrial development, will acquire land and hand it over to Tata Power.
Tata Power spokesperson confirmed this development and said nearly 7-8 million tonne of coal will be required for the proposed project. The company is looking at the 660 mw of super critical units.
The company official said ?If everything goes as per the revised plan, the land acquisition should complete by January 2009 and the zero date will begin from March. The first phase can be commissioned in three years.?