MoEF defers clearance to Suryachakra power plant in MP

In a setback to Suryachakra Power Venture, Ministry of Environment and Forests has deferred clearance for 1320 mw coal-based power plant being developed by the company in Madhya Pradesh.

Suryachakra Power Venture is a subsidiary of BSE-listed Suryachakra Power Corporation Ltd. This is the third city-based enterprise that faced the heat of MOEF. Last year, the MOEF had cancelled the environmental clearance, issued to Nagarjuna Constructions (NCCL) for its proposed 2,640 mw power plant in Srikakulam district in Andhra Pradesh.

Similarly, the Ministry recently issued orders to stall project works of East Coast Energy Pvt Ltd (ECEPL), another city-based power producer, which is setting up 2,640 mw Bhavanapadu Thermal Power project in Srikakulam District in AP, as several serious complaints poured against the company and those complaints are under examination.

 In case of the Suryachakra plant, the Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) under the MOEF is of the opinion that the project may fall within the buffer area of Sanjay Gandhi Tiger Reserve area, proposed to be set up in Sidhi district of Madhya Pradesh.

The Committee ordered the company to obtain a no-objection certificate from the authorities concerned in the Wildlife Department. According to the company, land acquisition is yet to be completed and coal linkage is under process with the Ministry of Coal. "The committee noted that even though the project proponent claims that there are no national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, tiger/biosphere reserves etc. within 10 km of the site, prima facie, it appears the project may be falling within the proposed buffer of Sanjay Gandhi Tiger Reserve," EAC said in its observation.