NALGONDA: The state government released an order to pay a compensation of Rs. 5.07 lakh per acre to the unauthorised encroachers of forest land at Veerlapalem village in Damaracharla mandal, Nalgonda district. In 2016 Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao laid the foundation for the construction of 4000 MW Yadadri Power Plant at an estimated cost of D26000 crore in 2800 acres at Veerlapalem. Out of the land to be acquired, about 400 farmers were cultivating 702.29 acres forest land for a long time. They did not have pattas and any other evidence of rightful ownership on the forest land. The government issued notices to them to hand over the land and the farmers agitated for compensation. They also approached local MP and MLA.
In this connection, Nalgonda MP Gutha Sukhendar Reddy and Miryalaguda MLA Bhasker Rao represented to the CM seeking compensation to the farmers who were cultivating the land for a long time. On August 2, the CM accepted the demand and asked the authorities to pay compensation.Of the 2800 acres GENCO earmarked 250 acres for the main plant, 350 acres for boilers, 100 acres for water storage, 250 acres for coal storage, 400 acres for ash storage, 100 acres for the construction of residential colonies for power plant employees, 50 acres for pipelines and railway line, 75 acres for roads and nearly 40 per cent of the total land 1225 acres for green belt to avoid ill effects of pollution emissions from the plant.
The required 6.6 water will be drawn from Krishna river, three km away from the selected site. To produce 4000 MW power per day the plant requires 11.02 tonnes of coal. The government would like to acquire the required coal from Singareni Collieries and Indonesia through Kakinada port in equal amounts.