NTPC, Tangedco to acquire 200 ha for Upper Bhavani hydropower project

Mostly forest land to be acquired for project proposed near Upper Bhavani and Avalanche

- S SENTHIL KUMAR @Nilgiris

The National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) and Tangedco are likely to acquire 200 hectares of land, mostly owned by the forest department, for the Upper Bhavani Pumped Storage Hydroelectric Project.

Sources said, NTPC, in a joint venture with Tangedco, will be carrying out the infrastructure works in a Public Private Partnership (PPP) at an estimated cost of ₹6,000 crore. The project is estimated to produce 1,000 megawatts of power, and the land required for the project is mostly owned by the forest department and revenue department, along with patta land near Upper Bhavani and Avalanche. Both areas are rich in biodiversity, with heavy wildlife movement as human activities and vehicle operations are minimal in these areas.