Land acquisition for Posco steel project progressing smoothly

BHUBANESWAR: Land acquisition by the Orissa government for the Rs 52,000 crore Posco steel project was progressing smoothly with 51 betel plantations being acquired in Jagatsinghpur district today.

The betel plantations were acquired at Bhuyanpala, Polanga, Bayanala and Noliasahi areas, Additional District Magistrate (Paradip) Sarojkant Choudhury said.

"Land acquisition is progressing at full steam with the cooperation of villagers," he said.

Over Rs 75 lakh was paid as compensation to the land losers and there was no opposition to the drive, he said.

After a two-day break on Saturday and Sunday, land acquisition began as members of the United Action Committee decided to cooperate with the administration following talks with senior officials on Monday.