Experts defer green nod to Chandrapur

Experts defer green nod to Chandrapur


ROOPAK GOSWAMI

March 27: An expert panel of the ministry of environment and forests has deferred the approval of environmental clearance to the 60MW Chandrapur thermal power station which is crucial for power generation to consumers in the city.

A source today said the expert appraisal committee on environmental impact assessment of thermal power and coal mine projects under the ministry of environment and forests, has found that several pieces of information were missing which are important to the assessment of the feasibility of the project, taking into account the environmental concerns.

The decision was taken recently by the expert panel at a meeting held in New Delhi. The panel said the decision of granting environmental clearance would be taken later. Chandrapur is on the outskirts of the city.

The 60MW thermal power plant is now being revived under the public-private partnership mode with Imperial Energy and Construction Private Limited as the private partner.

The committee after deliberating on the project has asked the private partner to provide details of the board of directors in the company, audited annual reports and balance sheets for the last three years and details of open bid process for the refurbishment of the thermal power station. It said any other information, which may be relevant material to assess the management capability should also be presented.

The total cost of the project will be around Rs 227 crore of which Imperial Energy and Construction Private Limited will be investing Rs 197 crore.

The plant will currently be run by Imperial APGCL Power Limited — the special purpose vehicle created for running the project.

The project will require 3 lakh tonnes of coal per annum and it will be obtained from the coal block in Margherita.

Water requirement will be 556 cubic metres per hour, which will be sourced from the Kalang river through a pipeline at a distance of 2km from the project site.

There are no national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, tiger or biosphere reserves within 10km of the project site and, hence, the project will not need a forest clearance.

After revival, the two plants of the power station will produce 60MW power.

The joint venture agreement will remain in force for 15 years from the commercial operation date of the project.


EOM

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