HAVING been denied environmental clearance by the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests, Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC) has decided to relocate its proposed 1000 MW (2 X 500 MW) thermal power plant in Durgapur. The relocated project, however, will be set up in Durgapur region only.
DVC had earlier proposed setting up the plant closer to Waria railway station on the outskirts of Durgapur city. Apart from requiring acquisition of ryoti land, half of the land required for the project was offered by SAIL and the Durgapur Municipality.
According to informed sources, while the SAIL land may also be used in the relocated project, DVC would part with land provided by the municipality which was offered with a number of riders on pollution control issues. The relocated project would be primarily on ryoti land, the sources said.
The relocation would also take care of MoEF's concerns on air and water pollution.
Earlier in November 2004 the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) had denied approval to the project on the ground that the existing air pollution level in the locality was much higher than the permissible level and would be degraded further if the project comes through.
Apart from the existing industries in the area, mushrooming of illegal coal `bhatti' was identified as major contributor to air pollution. The CPCB had also expressed concern over possible water pollution due to the closeness of the ash pond of the proposed project to Damodar river.
While nothing could be done about the ash-pond, WBPCB had taken some corrective measures to improve the air quality of the locality, in the following months.
The move had encouraged DVC to submit a revised petition for environmental clearance in January this year. The bid, however, failed as the CPCB had stuck to its recommendation for relocation of the project.
