Tata's 1,600-Mw Maharashtra project cleared for launch

After five years of opposition and negotiations, Tata Power’s 1,600-Mw project in Raigad district of Maharashtra has concluded the official formalities for joint survey of the affected land by the district collectorate and the affected farmers.

Alongside, it got approval for its compensation/rehabilitation package to the affected owners of the 1,200 acres at issue, from the state government’s high-powered committee in this regard.

Sunil Tatkare, state finance minister and the district’s ‘guardian minister’ told Business Standard: “What Tata Power has offered is one of the best rehabilitation packages. The majority of PAPs (project-affected persons) have accepted the package, though there will be opposition from some. We will see that the company implements the package in the true spirit and also takes necessary measures for environment protection.”

Shramik Mukti Dal, a body spearheading a long agitation against the land acquisition, has alleged the government has completely misguided villagers on the acquisition and joint measurement procedures.

However, as far as the state authorities are concerned, the matter is settled. The land would be soon transferred to the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation, the acquiring agency. MIDC would then transfer the land on lease to Tata Power, which had signed a memorandum with the state government for the project in April 2005.

The company has generation capacity of 1,877 Mw in the state and plans to begin construction for the 1,600-Mw project, to be based on imported coal, by September-October. And, to make the plant operational by 2014.

District collector S O Sonawane said disbursement of payment to farmers would begin in July.