Japanese Team Visits Srikakulam Amidst Stir
SRIKAKULAM: A delegation consisting of experts from Japan-based Sumitomoe organisation which has arrived on Tuesday, continued to tour the district Wednesday. Sumitomoe has agreed to set up a 4,000-mw ultra critical thermal power plant at a cost of `33,000 cr in Srikakulam district.
The 14-member team, after touring Etcherla, Pondur and Narasannapeta mandals on Tuesday, scoured Polaki and Hiramandalam mandals Wednesday. The members enquired about the availability of land, water facility etc., for setting up the plant.
The tour gained importance after Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu signed an agreement with Japanese company Sumitomoe for the establishment of a thermal power plant in the district, during the former’s visit to Japan.
Government whip Ravikumar took the initiative and wanted the plant to come up at Dharmapuram region of Pondur and Etchcherla mandals in Amudalavalasa Assembly segment, and was trying to convince the farmers to cede land for the proposed plant. The Japanese team also made a whirlwind tour of Polaki to inspect the land available at Vamsadhara and the water from it.
Meanwhile, the team scrutinised the map submitted by officials on the availability of land at SM Puram and Bhanojiraopeta in Etcherla mandal. Since the team was told of the availability of land at Dharmapuram, Kanimetta, Buridikancharam, Tolapi and Pillalavalasa villages in Etcherla mandal, it enquired about the geographical features, crop cultivation and groundwater sources. The members also visited the Pondur railway station, and enquired about land availability and other amenities at Urlam, Kameswaripeta, Jalluvanipeta, Kottapolavalasa and Kollavanipeta in Narasannapeta mandal.
While Sumitomoe will set up the plant, Toshiba and Suzuki will extend technical help. Coal will be imported from Australia and Germany. Experts are working on an environment-friendly design for the plant, while providing extra irrigation water to farmers with the help of a plant to be set up by Genco.
The government whip claimed that the environmental committee, after studying various aspects, reported that the region was 90 per cent suitable for the plant, and that conditions are conducive for the release of 8 TMC water from Gotta barrage from Vamsadhara.
Yamatoma, Boyama, Sagava, Hasigava, Taani, Okoora and others from Japan, Genco chief engineer Nageswara Rao, SE Ranganatham, Srikakulam RDO Dayanidhi and people’s representatives toured the areas. Police made security arrangements.