The Andhra Pradesh High Court on Thursday suspended the operation of the Government Order allocating 972.69 acres of land alienated in favour of NCC Ltd (formerly Nagarjuna Construction Company Ltd) for setting up of a thermal power plant at Sompeta in Srikakulam district of Andhra Pradesh.
Mr Justice N. Ramamohana Rao, while admitting a writ petition filed by Mr Laxminarayana and two other farmers affected by the land allocation, passed the order.
The petitioners contended that there are three lift irrigation schemes of the AP Irrigation Development Corporation at Benkili, Rishikudda and Kuttuma catering to 750 acres and the lands allocated for the thermal power plant are basically swamp lands.
NCC had taken up work on the 1,980-MW thermal plant but ran into trouble due to local agitations and later Government order to stay its execution.
The Ministry of Environment and Forests had granted clearance in December 2009. However, the National Environment Appellate Authority quashed the clearance in July 2010. The respondents have to file their counter.