State-run NTPC has agreed to go ahead with the 1,600 MW (2x 800 MW) Katwa project in the existing 556 acres acquired during Left regime, West Bengal Power minister Manish Gupta said.
According to Gupta, NTPC had written to the state power department expressing its inability to purchase rest of the required land.
“However, they are now ready to go ahead with project in the existing land using modern technology,” he said.
For the Rs 9,600-crore project, NTPC originally had put forward a requirement of 1,030 acres.
West Bengal Power Development Corporation (WBPDCL) acquired 556 acres during the Left regime.
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s decision to stay away from land acquisition for industrial projects prompted NTPC to buy the remaining land directly for the proposed thermal power project at Katwa in Burdwan. However, the company failed to directly purchase the land without government intervention.
Gupta's claim could not be confirmed with NTPC officials.
Incidentally, the company recently said it would require at least 900 acres of land to develop the project.