PRAYAGRAJ, Aug. 23 -- Meja Urja Nigam Private Limited (MUNPL) has sought 48.485 hectares of land in 21 villages of Meja for laying pipelines as part of the second phase of its power generation project, paving the way for three new 800 MW units with a combined capacity of 2,400 MW. MUNPL is a joint venture of NTPC Limited and Uttar Pradesh Rajya Vidyut Utpadan Nigam Limited (UPRVUNL). The proposal comes after approval for the three new units was granted in view of the rising electricity demand in Uttar Pradesh. The expansion is expected to augment power availability in the state and support industrial growth, besides generating direct and indirect employment in the region, officials shared. The existing Meja power plant has an installed capacity of 1,320 MW, with around 80% of its total power generation supplied to the state government. With the approval for the second phase, the company has initiated the process for expanding the facility, they added. The land has been sought primarily for temporarily laying pipelines required for the project. The proposed land acquisition will cover Kodhahar, Madraha, Mamauli, Medpela, Bhatauti, Beri, Bhasundar Khurd, Barsaita, Lutar, Pausia Dubey, Pausia Jaivenia, Gaura, Deloha, Vishwanathpur, Bisahijan Kala, Lakhanpur Godaura, Barchunda, Dorwa, Chhatwa Uparhar and Bijaura villages. The district administration has initiated the process following the company's request. District magistrate Manish Kumar Verma has written to the Special Land Acquisition Officer (SLO) to coordinate the land acquisition process and extend necessary assistance....