(a) the present status of the Katwa Thermal Power Project of
National Thermal Power Corporation Limited (NTPC) in West Bengal;
(b) the details of the land required and already acquired for setting up of this power project
along with the mechanism being adopted by the NTPC for acquisition of land therefor;
(c) whether the NTPC proposes to acquire the remaining land through private route for setting
up of the project; and
(d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?
MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF POWER (SHRI JYOTIRADITYA M. SCINDIA)
(a) Transfer of Katwa Project to NTPC has been approved by Cabinet of Government of West Bengal
on 18.4.2012 and Feasibility Report is under preparation by NTPC. Application for coal linkage
has been submitted to Ministry of Coal on 04.03.2011, however, coal linkage is yet to be
accorded. The application to Ministry of Environment & Forests (MoEF) for environment clearance
can be submitted only after coal linkage is accorded.
(b) The total land required is about 700 acres. About 556 acres of land has already been
acquired by West Bengal Power Development Corporation Ltd. (WBPDCL), Government of West
Bengal (GoWB) for the project. However, NTPC has requested GoWB for acquisition of balance
land for ash pond, railway corridor and make up water pump house at Bhagirathi river end,
as per provisions of the Land Acquisition Act and transfer to NTPC.
(c) No, Madam.
(d) NTPC is a Government of India Enterprise and as per the present Land Acquisition Act/
respective State Acts, land for its projects is acquired by the State Governments. Even
in the proposed Land Acquisition Resettlement and Rehabilitation Bill 2011, NTPC being
a Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) has been classified in the category of `Government
and Public Sector Companies or Corporations` under `Public Purpose` for setting up
power projects for which land acquisition will be done through the State Government.