AP govt asks NPCIL to deposit Rs 500 cr ore for proposed N-plant

The Andhra Pradesh government today asked the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd (NPCIL), which is proposing to set up a nuclear power plant in Srikakulam district, to deposit Rs 500 crore for initiating the land acquisition process in a bid to speed up the process, official said today.

NPCIL has proposed construction of 9,600 MWe (6X1600) power project in Kovvada of Ranasthalam mandal in Srikakulam district. The corporation sought around 2,126 acres of land for the project, which is being taken up with an estimated cost of Rs 1 lakh crore.

"We have asked them to deposit Rs 500 crore with us towards land acquisition cost and rehabilitation activities. Once they deposit the amount we will initiate the land acquisition process," Srikakulam Collector P Lakshmi Narasimham said.

Chief secretary of Andhra Pradesh, IYR Krishna Rao, today held meeting with officials of Atomic Energy, NPCIL and energy Departments to inquire the status of the project.

"Though the power plant proposal has been going on for some time, we want to speed up the process now. The NPCIL officials have informed us that they have a board meeting in a few days and they may take a call on the issue (on depositing Rs 500 crore)," the collector further said.

The Centre has approved the proposal of NPCIL for the nuclear project after duly obtaining necessary clearances from Atomic Energy Regulatory Board.

The AP government has already issued orders for land acquisition in Srikakulam district for the project.