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Nawada: Manoj Kumar, assistant engineer, transmission, Nawada 132/33 KV grid was virtually echoed `Land ho’, words which centuries back sea-sick sailors used to shout in joy on citing of land, following allocation of land for the construction of the district’s second 132/33KV grid at Warisaliganj by the district administration after a long wait of over 8 month. As a result, the Rs 50 crore project is likely to be executed now.
On April 16, 2016, managing director (MD), Bihar State Power Transmission Corporation Limited (BSPTCL), R Laxmanan, had written to Nawada DM requesting allocation of 5 acre “gair majarua” land for the purpose but the land was earmarked only a few days ago. At present, Nawada district has only one 132/33 KV power grid located on Nawada-Gaya road, (opposite Nawada jail), and is unable to supply uninterrupted power to the 23 lakh population of the district.
With the scrapping of the proposed 28 megawatt nuclear power generation plant at Rajauli due to insufficient water required for washing Uranium, the construction of this second 132/33 KV grid assumes significance. As of now, the district gets only 15 to 20 megawatt power against its total requirement of 40 megawatt. As a result, power is supplied on rotational basis to 14 blocks of the district.
However, the earmarking of this 5 acre plot for the 50-crore project located 1.5 km from Warisaliganj block and police station is not bereft of teething problems. Although carved out of a 66 plot of expansive “gair majarua” land, many farmers of the adjoining Basochak and Masankhama village have been occupying it illegally for decades. Almost all of the total 94 acre of “gair mazarua” land located on both sides of the road in the vicinity, is under illegal possession of villagers due to the apathy of the local block officials. The unofficial rate of this land is between Rs 15 to 20 lakh per katha, according to realtors.
Nawada DM Manoj Kumar said that it was now the administration’s responsibility to transfer the earmarked land to the BSPTCL. He said, ” one doesn’t expect the electricity officials to go armed with sticks to rid the land of illegal possession.” He firmly reiterated that he would ensure that the plot is handed over to the BSPTCLat the earliest.
With the construction of this additional 132/33 KV grid, the people from Warisaliganj, Pakribarma, Kashichak, Roh and Kawakol blocks comprising nearly one-third of the districts’ population would be rid of frequent breakdowns resulting in irregular power supply. It would not only boost agricultural production but also blunt the Maoists’ secret recruitment drive of luring the misguided youth into their fold. Nawada district accounts for the largest migration of labourers to various states.