RPower' Sasan project expansion hits green hurdles

Reliance Power's Sasan ultra mega project expansion plans face hurdles as Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) has sought additional information from the company stating the proposal in the current form is pre-mature.

Sasan Power Ltd, which is implementing Rs 9,805 crore-6x660 MW Sasan Ultra Mega Power Plant (UMPP), had approached the ministry seeking clearance for the expansion of the project by 3X660 MW. "The committee finally decided that the proposal in its present form is premature for recommendation of environmental clearance ...Accordingly, the proposal was deferred," an Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) under the MoEF said.

Though Reliance Power officials were not available for comment, sources close to the development said the power producer is busy preparing documents that are necessary for clearance. "Whatever information has been sought by the ministry will be provided in November so that the project may be cleared in the subsequent meeting," sources told PTI.

The committee observed that the area is not far from critically polluted Singrauli and therefore decided that action plan for mitigation formulated for Singrauli region needs to be seen and abundant precaution needs to be taken. On the issue of firm coal allotment, it observed that the project promoters have come premature without established source of fuel availability.

The committee noted that the issues raised during public hearing have been more or less addressed but few points need detailed deliberation such as impact on Rihand Reservoir and radio-activity from coal and fly ash. "The Committee therefore decided that not only for the expansion but also for the UMPP the project proponent needs to carry out a long term study of radio-activity and heavy metals contents on coal to be used through a reputed institute," the EAC said.

It said the impact due to withdrawal of large quantity of water by the UMPP cannot be ignored either.