Thaindian News

Patna, Jan 28 (IANS) Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar Saturday laid the foundation stone of the much awaited Nabinagar Super Thermal Power Project in Aurangabad district, marking the end of tussles over land acquisition and rehabilitation, officials said.

After laying the foundation stone of the first stage of the 3×660 MW project at Shivanpur village near Nabinagar, Nitish Kumar also announced a fresh compensation package for the farmers whose land is being acquired for the plant.

Demanding increased compensation, hundreds of farmers have been protesting against the project for nearly a year and stopped work at the site.

Soon after the ‘bhumi pujan’ (ground breaking ceremony) Jan 14, 2011, local farmers had protested over construction work at the site.

Over 2,800 acres of mostly single-crop agricultural land has been acquired in eight villages each of Nabinagar and Barun block in Aurangabad.

Nitish Kumar said the project, a 50:50 joint venture of Bihar State Electricity Board (BSEB) and National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC), will help the state overcome energy shortage.

“This mega power project has special importance for Bihar as it will provide light to thousands of houses in villages,” he said.

BSEB officials said the first unit of the project is targeted to be commissioned in 2015 and the other two units at intervals of six months each thereafter. The state will get 70 percent of the power generated by it, while the balance will go to other states of the eastern region.