The Andhra Pradesh Industrial Infrastructure Corporation allotted around 1,200 acres in Pudimadaka village in Visakhapatnam district for the construction of the Pudimadaka Super Thermal Power Project by NTPC Ltd. The project was proposed in 2014, with an investment of INR 26,828 crore. Locals, including fishermen, have opposed the thermal plant as pollutants from the plant pose a health risk to the residents, the environment and marine life in the area. In 2016, following public protests, the Andhra Pradesh Pollution Control Board issued a notification to hold a public hearing in August that year. The Human Rights forum [demanded](http://The Human Rights forum demanded that the public hearing be stopped and the project be scrapped. The state General Secretary V.S. Krishna and district president M. Sarat said that the NTPC had already established a 2,000-mega watt plant (NTPC Simhadri) in the area it was contemplating to enhance it by an additional 1,000 mega watts more.) that the public hearing should be stopped and the project should be scrapped. In a press release by the Human Rights Forum, state General Secretary V.S. Krishna and District President M. Sarat said that "the NTPC had already established a 2,000-mega watt plant (NTPC Simhadri) in the area and was contemplating to enhance it by an additional 1,000 mega watt". The Pudimadaka plant would have a capacity of 4,000 mega watt, consuming more than 13 million tonnes of coal per annum. The people living in the area consider it to be a huge strain on the region's natural resources. Krishna and Sarat further said in the press release that "generating 7,000 mega watt of thermal power in one area is a sure recipe for human and ecological disaster." In 2018, the project was shelved at the direction of the Centre. The minister of state for Power and New and Renewable Energy, R.K. Singh, said in response to a Parliament query that "the status of the project depends on the sanction of requisite clearances and coal linkage and date of award of the programme".
Demand/Contention of the Affected Community
Refusal to give up land for the project, Opposition against environmental degradation
Region Classification
Rural
Type of Land
Private
Type of Common Land
Has the Conflict Ended?
Yes
When did it end?
June 20, 2018
Why did the conflict end?
The Centre ordered for the project to be shelved saying it was no longer viable.
Categories of Legislations Involved in the Conflict
Land Acquisition Laws
Legislations/Policies Involved
Whether claims/objections were made as per procedure in the relevant statute
What was the claim(s)/objection(s) raised by the community? What was the decision of the concerned government department?
Legal Processes and Loopholes Enabling the Conflict:
Legal Status:
Out of Court
Status of Case In Court
Whether any adjudicatory body was approached
Name of the adjudicatory body
Name(s) of the Court(s)
Case Number
Major Human Rights Violations Related to the Conflict:
Whether criminal law was used against protestors
Official name of the criminal law. Did the case reach trial?
Reported Details of the Violation:
Date of Violation
Location of Violation
Nature of Protest
Boycott of official procedures/non-participation in official processes
Government Departments Involved in the Conflict:
Andhra Pradesh Industrial Infrastructure Corporation, Andhra Pradesh Pollution Control Board
PSUs Involved in the Conflict:
Did LCW Approach Government Authorities for Comments?
Name, Designation and Comment of the Government Authorities Approached
Corporate Parties Involved in the Conflict:
NTPC Limited
Did LCW Approach Corporate Parties for Comments?
Name, Designation and Comment of Corporate Authorities Approached
Other Parties Involved in the Conflict:
Communist Party of India (Marxist), Human Rights Forum
Documented By
Furkan KhanReviewed By
Furkan KhanUpdated By
Furkan KhanEdited By
Furkan KhanLand Conflict Watch
