Daijiworld News Network (VM)

Udupi Mar 2: Despite protests, which even took violent turns recently, the work on the Nagarjuna Thermal Power project has been progressing. The land survey for the setting up of the 1015 MW coal-based project has also been initiated. However, even this time a protest has been called against the work.

Taking the lead, former minister Vasanth V Salian here on Wednesday March 1 informed that a protest rally will be taken out at Nandikur on March 3 against the move to conduct a land survey for the setting up of the 1015-MW coal-based Nagarjuna power project. All major political parties have decided to support the rally, he added.

The Karnataka Industrial Areas Development Board's decision to grant 600 acres at Yellur village to the Nagarjuna Power Corporation Ltd. (NPCL) for the plant is illegal, he alleged.

The land, which was originally allotted to the National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) in 1998, is being handed over to NPCL. He noted that the Principal Secretary, Department of Revenue was also misled by the officers when he asked for details of the project.

At the meeting convened by the Chief Secretary to discuss the issue in Bangalore on January 20 in which top Government officials and representatives of NPCL participated, only superintendent of police S Murugan voiced that there has been lot of opposition to the project, while the other officials exercised silence on the issue, Salian informed.