NTTPS and villagers’ showdown to be stormy tomorrow

• Proposed power generation plant runs into trouble
• Pollution is core issue
• Gram panchayats oppose land acquisition

Vijayawada: Several villages around Ibrahimpatnam are readying for a full-fledged battle with APGenco in their avowed opposition to the setting up of an 800 MW Power generation unit at the Dr Narla Tatarao Thermal Power Station (NTTPS) if the health considerations of the locals are not addressed in right earnest.

Responding to the majority sentiments that prevail, the Andhra Pradesh Pollution Control Board (APPBC) has set January 10 for a public hearing on the unit.

The unit is coming up at an estimated cost of Rs 5,286.54 crore. Itwill have its ash pond over 230 acres of land that is to be acquired in Trilochanapuram village.

The NTTPS is generating 1,760 mw from seven units and its ash pond is presently spread over 167.7 acres.

In a rare show of solidarity people from all the villages abutting Ibrahimpatnam have come together and are opposing the plant tooth and nail.

They are arguing that APGenco will be responsible for the increase in pollution levels, once the unit sees the light of the day, which, according to them, will render the entire vicinity unfit for healthy living.

In addition to air pollution caused by consumption of coal, the ash pond will contaminate the groundwater. Farmers also fear heavy loss ofcrops and cattle because of the pollution that is likely to wreak havoc. Ibrahimpatnam, Kondapalli and Gollapudi gram panchayats have already passed resolutions against land acquisitions in their villages. Adjoining Elaprolu, Jupudi, Mulapadu, Ketanakonda, Kotikalapudi, Rayanapadu, Tummalapalem have come up with similar resolutions.

Villagers are getting ready to place their demands at the public hearing. As a remedial measure, they want NTTPS to open a super-specialty hospital, including for animals, in addition to providing free medicines and qualitative health care. They are seekingprotected water supply in lieu of the ‘polluted’ groundwater. The petition will make a vocal demand for providing uninterrupted power supply to all the villages in and around the plant.

Former sarpanches of Gollapudi and Guntupalli Bommasani Subba Rao and D Venkata Ramana and others, are positioning themselves for a no-holds-barred showdown with APGenco and APBC at the hearing.

A major boost to the villagers’ united fight is that they have won the support of people’s organizations and civil rights bodies in the State, including AP Civil Liberties Committee and the Organisation for Protection of Democratic Rights.

The former sarpanches say they are not against new power plants, but want pollution safety measures to be implemented. They said that they would not compromise on these ‘critical’ issues.