Uttar Pradesh reclaims 944 hectares from thermal power projects
The Uttar Pradesh government has issued the final order for the reclamation of the 944 hectares of land, which was allotted to Lanco Anpara Power Limited and Himavat Power Private Limited for setting up a 1,320 megawatt (mw) thermal power plant in Kanpur Dehat district.
UP Additional Chief Secretary, Energy, Dr Ashish Kumar Goyal issued the final order on August 25, 2026 for the reclamation of the land.
The same order was subsequently approved by Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel.
The land allotment of 2011 in Bhognipur tehsil was cancelled since the two companies could not set up the project within the stipulated time of 3 years.
Moreover, the land was allegedly fraudulently mortgaged to banks for securing loans without seeking permission from the state government.
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Meanwhile, the UP Energy Department has issued directions to the Kanpur Dehat District Magistrate to strike out the names of both companies from the ‘Khatauni’ (land records), and instead record the parcel in the name of the State Energy Department.
On June 28, 2011, an agreement was signed between the UP Energy Department and the two companies.
Lanco Anpara Power Limited was allotted more than 375 hectares of land in the villages of Kripalpur, Chaparghata, Rasoolpur Bhuranda and Bhartauli in Bhognipur tehsil for setting up a 1,320 mw plant. This included nearly 90 hectares of leased land and 285 hectares of acquired private land.
Similarly, Himavat Power Private Limited was alloted almost 569 hectares in the villages of Amilia, Sihari, Kachhgaon and Chaparghata. This included about 218 hectares of leased land and 351 hectares of acquired private land.
The two companies were mandated to complete construction of the thermal power project within three years of taking possession of the land.
Moreover, the agreement stipulated that the companies could neither sell, lease nor mortgage the land without prior permission from the State Government.
However, Himavat Power mortgaged the land with IDBI Bank without obtaining any permission.
Lanco Anpara Power mortgaged the land with Canara Bank and Punjab National Bank without informing the government.
Taking a strict view of these violations, the Yogi Adityanath government issued show cause notices to both companies on May 25, 2026, under Clause 4(6) of the agreement, directing them to submit replies within 15 days.
