District administration expedites Bokaro Power Supply Company Limited's land acquisition process

BOKARO: The district administration has formed a high-level committee to expedite the land acquisition process initiated by Bokaro Power Supply Company Limited (BPSCL) for setting up its new 500MW power facility in Bathua under Chas block.
The administration stepped in after BPSCL management sought its help in resolving land disputes with local residents, which has been delaying the construction of the boundary wall of the mega power project.The issue was taken up in the wake of demands for jobs, compensation and other facilities by displaced persons.
BPSCL, a joint venture of the Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL) and Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC), is in the process of installing 500 (250x2) MW power plant. This requires the construction of a 10km long boundary wall on 900 acres of land.
CEO BPSCL Rakesh Bhargava has been struggling to get the support of the state government to expedite the installation process of the power facility. The company has, however, obtained all the necessary clearances from statutory bodies. They are waiting for the administration to give them the go-ahead for the construction of the boundary wall.
Bhargava said, "The management has tried negotiating with the locals and it did yield results. They have assured the villagers of providing road, electricity, schools and other amenities under corporate social responsibility. Even the contractors who have been given construction work are being directed to hire workers for the job from the village, which would generate employment for the villagers."
Though most of the villagers are ready to support the project, some are opposing it demanding permanent jobs and huge compensation. "We have sought the help of the administration to overcome the hurdles and begin the construction of boundary wall," he said.
Bhargava said several rounds of talks have been held with Bokaro DC Aarva Rajkamal. Rajkamal said he has assured Bhargava to provide the needed support for the project. The administration is positive. They have formed a committee comprising the SDO Chas Sanjay Singh and DSP City who will convene a joint meeting with the management and local residents to solve the entire dispute.
"There are no major hurdles in setting up of the power facility as the land is already acquired. However, the few villagers who have come up claiming compensation should be scrutinized to get the matter resolved soon," said Rajkamal.