Green panel refuses nod to Tata Power expansion in Dhanbad

NEW DELHI: An environment panel has refused nod to expansion plan of Tata Power in Dhanbad in Jharkhand citing a moratorium imposed on construction activities in the critically polluted areas till August in the country.

The Tata Power Company had proposed expansion by addition of two units of 660 MW coal-based thermal power plant from existing two units of 525 MW at Maithon in Dhanbad District which has been identified as the most polluted city in Jharkhand as per a government survey.

The expansion proposal had come up before the Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) for determination of terms of reference (ToR) for undertaking environment Impact Assessment (EIA) study as per provisions of EIA notification 2006.

However, the EAC dropped the project after noting that the area is located in critically polluted areas identified by Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and for which the Environment Ministry has issued a circular on moratorium of projects until August.

The CPCB in collaboration with IIT Delhi had surveyed the pollution levels of 88 industrial clusters across the country of which 43 were found to be "critically polluted."

The polluted areas or industrial clusters were given a moratorium till August so that CPCB in consultation with the respective State Pollution Control Boards and the industrial bodies can draw a time-bound action plan for reducing the pollution level in these areas.

Till then no environment clearance will be given to any project proposal in these areas.