Nayagarh: With the unemployment crisis growing in the district due to lack of industries, resentment brewed among residents as the proposed mega-thermal power plant at Bhapur has remained a non-starter for over five years.
The plant was proposed to be set up on 885.22 acres of land at an expenditure of Rs 6,228 crore. The state government had signed an agreement in April 2010 with Chennai-based BGR Energy to set up the project. The project was estimated to produce 1,320 mega watts of electricity daily.
The government, however, did not extend any financial help to the company to set up the plant even after signing the memorandum. The firm left the state as it failed to get any assistance from the government.
A year later, the firm again approached the government to provide financial help and land to set up the power plant. The district administration identified 885.22 acres of private land and 30 acres of government land for setting up the plant. The administration later sent a letter in February 2015 to the Idco to disburse Rs 68.09 crore to begin the project. However, even through over a year has passed since the letter was sent, Idco is yet to disburse money for the project, official sources said.
The company officials further said even though land has been identified for the project, the acquisition process has not started yet.
Residents here said they were hopeful that over a thousand unemployed youth will get jobs once the project comes up. Apart from direct employment, the project was expected to create a lot of indirect employment in the district and neighbouring places.
It was expected that the project will be finished within 60 months. However, even land acquisition has not started yet, though 60 months have already passed, they rued.
They blamed the apathetic attitude of the administration for the reason behind the delay in starting the project.
The locals demanded immediate measures be taken to ensure the project comes up in the district at the earliest.
When contacted, the collector said the district administration is taking all possible measures to start the project at the earliest. PNN
