NTPC has sought the help of Madhya Pradesh government for the safety of Gadarwara power project site and the workers who have stopped the work on the site since December 22.

It has appealed to the local people to support the project of national importance. Half of the electricity generated from here will be given to Madhya Pradesh.

The enterprise said that it has fulfilled all its commitments for acquisition of land for its 1,600 MW Gadarwara power project and will continue to work towards local area development, and betterment of affected people.

“We have fulfilled all our commitment in line with the order of rehabilitation department of government of MP and the tripartite agreement signed with the land owners and administration,” a spokesperson said.

The payment for the land is as per the rate decided by the government. As per the agreement, NTPC paid Rs 14.5 lakh per acre for irrigated land and Rs 10.5 lakh for non-irrigated land as a package. NPTC also paid Rs 3.5 lakh per acres one-time payment in lieu of employment as rehabilitation grant and the agreement made it clear that no additional money or employment will neither be demanded nor will be accepted.

However, the agitation by the local villagers has impacted the project work as about 3,000 specialised workers have left the site. The work is stalled since December 22, 2017. It would impact adversely the project commissioning schedule, targeted for March, 2018.