Even as summer is yet to set in in its full vigor, Kakinada and its surrounding areas and the whole of Andhra Pradesh is reeling under power cuts. This area boasts of several gas-based thermal plants which do not have firm gas supplies committed to them. The massive Anil Ambani owned Power Plant at Samalkot is likely o be commissioned soon. It is reported that they are still negotiating gas supplies and hopeful of gas allocation.
The entire activity of exploration, exploitation and extraction of gas is concentrated in this area, Rajahmundry and Kakinada being principal places. The ill effects of this activity is borne by people here. Farmers lose lands; lands get degraded; frequent fire hazards force villagers to evacuate; Fishermen cannot venture with full liberty. But there is no gas for power plants here. I have not seen a single CNG bus here in Kakinada.
They acquired huge amounts of land for a Refinery to be built by ONGC. Now ONGC has backed out. Another corporate firm has entered the field. Like other projects that have gobbled land, when or whether this refinery come up is a riddle.
The state has imposed severe power cuts on industry. Three days a week power holidays! Industrialists, medium and small enterprueners are reduced to agitations and dharnas instead of minding their business. Remember power cuts were lifted only in December.
How did this come about?
At the time of awarding bids why the State's interests were not protected? Why the power plants were allowed to come up when gas supply could not be guaranteed? What sort of planning is this? Why private players are preferred over our Navaratna ONGC? Where all this gas is going? What is its end use?
They say Briitish looted raw materials and never allowed local industries to flourish. What is this?
…ponder
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