The only structure that the villagers left behind in the old Manoharpur’s rubble was a small mazaar. While WBPDCL set aside Rs 2 lakh for construction of a mazaar at the new site, identical to the old one, the Imam refused to abandon the place. The villagers have now managed to extract a promise from the WBPDCL authorities that the structure will not be pulled down.

“Our families had been neighbours even before the times of our fathers-in-law. Our husbands had grown up together as brothers, so we are quite happy with this arrangement,” say two of the villagers, Rezina Bibi and Jyosna Bibi.

So is the district administration. “We have given importance to social capital. The idea was to recreate the old surroundings so that villagers don’t feel out of place,” says SDO Dipankar Mondal.

A little over 95 acres has been acquired for the new unit of the Bakreswar Thermal Power Plant, most of which comprised human habitats and only a very small percentage farmlands. WBPDCL has also promised to provide permanent jobs to members of families which see a substantial loss of income. While 26 villagers have already found employment as casual labour, the rest are waiting for future recruitments.

Sheikh Hossain, 26, is among those who has found a job. “I am looking forward to my Rs 4,000 salary. I am better off now as my lottery business did not do well,” says Hossain.

“We have faith in the administration,” adds Sheikh Rafiq. “Whatever we asked for — roads, power lines, tubewells, school buildings — we have got.” “Someone had to make the sacrifice for a greater good,” they add, pointing at the new thermal power plant unit.

... contd.