Law and order problems stalk Sahara Power project

Company seeks state govt's intervention

With law and order problems impeding progress of Sahara India Power’s 1,320 Mw coal-based power project at Titiligarh in Bolangir district, the company has sought the constant help of the state administration and police to ensure smooth execution of the project.

The company CEO pointed out that the villagers, mostly outsiders, who don’t have any land in the project area are creating obstacles including misbehaving and manhandling the company staff and contractors, preventing them to start even initial work at the site.

“The help of administration and police is required constantly for smooth execution of the project as it is the only major industry in Bolangir district,” Ashok K Bhargava, chief executive officer, Sahara India Power Corporation Ltd wrote to Odisha chief secretary J K Mohapatra.

Sahara India Power had signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Odisha government on February 7, 2009 and also a supplementary MoU on April 9, 2010 for change of site from Tusra to Titilagarh tehsil since the original site was not found to be suitable. It is now awaiting extension of its MoU. The pact was for setting up of two 660 Mw super critical units at a cost of Rs 8,000 crore.

A total of 812.25 acres of land is needed for the power project out of which 510.73 acres has already been acquired. The company claimed to have deposited Rs 28.41 crore for land acquisition with Odisha Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation (Idco) and land acquisition officer cum tahasildar, Titilagarh.

The environment impact assessment (EIA) for the project is over and application for grant of final environment clearance for the power plant has been submitted to the Union ministry of environment & forest (MoEF) on September 10 this year.

The company has urged the state government to expedite final water allocation for the power plant. Though Sahara Power has received assurance letter for supply of 53 cusecs of water from Tel river, the final allocation letter is still pending with the water resources department.

To evacuate power, the company has filed a connectivity application with PowerGrid Corporation of India Ltd (PGCIL). While it has already signed power purchase agreement with state power trading firm Gridco, an MoU to be signed with Power Trading Corporation is in the pipeline.