UPPCL to acquire land for 2 power projects in Allahabad

Lucknow, Jan 15 (UNI) The Uttar Pradesh Power Corporation Ltd (UPPCL) has stepped up its efforts to acquire proposed land for the two coal-based mega thermal power projects in Allahabad district.

The two new plants proposed in the private sector will be located in Bara sub division and at Karchana.

UPPCL has also underlined its plan to boost Allahabad as another alternative of power generation hub after Sonebhadra.

According to UPCCL sources, proposals have been sent to the state government for the acquisition of 2,100 acres of land for the coal based 2,000 MW thermal power plant at Bara and 991 acres of land at for 1,000 MW plant at Karchana.

The corporation has also sanctioned Rs 50 crore to be used to for giving compensation to the farmers for both the projects.

State Environment Minister Ujjwal Ram Singh, MLA from Karchana, said efforts are on to start the acquistion process before the enforcement of the model code of conduct in view of the coming assembly polls.

''There would be no problem in the acquisition process as 90 per cent of the land is barren in nature,'' he added.

UPPCL Managing Director Avaneesh Awasthi said as soon as the process of land acquisition is complete, global tenders would be floated to award both the projects to the private sector.

Both the projects would be awarded on tariff-based bidding process, just like it was done for the 1,000 MW Anpara C project.

The Anpara C contract was won by Hyderabad-based Lanco Kundapalli, outbidding the Reliance Energy Ltd.

''Coal linkage for both the projects will not be a problem as the Union coal ministry has given a firm commitment to UP, and the process is likely to be completed soon after the award of the project to the private bidder,'' said Mr Awasthi.

He added that for getting the status of mega power project, 75 per cent of the power generation would go to UP while rest will go to other states. ''UP government would try its best to get the project commissioned by the end of 11th five year plan in 2012,'' he added.

The UP government encouraged by the success in awarding the contract for the 1,000 MW Anpara C thermal power project to the private sector, in October 2006, had initiated the process of setting up two plants with 3,000 MW capacity in the private sector in Allahabad district.

Owing to the nationwide outcry over the acquisition of vast agricultural land for the SEZ, barren land in Karchana and Bara are to be acquired for the new plants. Besides, both the sites have adequate water resources for the power plants.

UNI