Bhubaneswar: May 31: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik wrote a letter to Piyush Goel, Union Minister of Power on the plight of people residing in 27 villages of Lakhanpur Block in Jharsuguda district, who will be adversely affected by the smoke, dust and greenhouse gases due to the upcoming 1600 MW Super Thermal Power Project (STPP) of the NTPC at Lara in neighbouring Chhattisgarh. He wrote, “NTPC is setting up a 1600 MW Super Thermal Power Project at Lara in Chhattisgarh which is about two kilometres from the border of Odisha. 27 villages of Odisha belonging to Kandeikela, Remata, Kanaktora, Charpali, Pithinda and Badimal GPs of Lakhanpur Block in Jharsuguda District will be adversely affected by the smoke, dust and greenhouse gases. Of these 27 villages, 6 villages are likely to be severely affected’. He conveyed regarding the discontentment of the people of the area and briefed how it will affect environment, livelihood and health condition of the people of these 27 villages. Also, Naveen mentioned that, NTPC has started its CSR activities in nine villages of Chhattisgarh. Patnaik requested the Union Power Minister to direct the NTPC authorities to address the genuine concerns of the project affected people of Odisha.
