NTPC faces environment hurdle for 4,000 MW project in AP

NTPC Limited's proposed 4000 MW project at Pudimadaka near Visakhapatnam faces environment approval hurdle.

The State had identified the site and allotted land for the project.

Now with the project faced with environmental hurdle and objection, it is to be seen how the Government and NTPC would go about addressing the issue.

Recently, NTPC had invited global bids for consultants and interest for supply of imported coal for the project.

The Andhra Pradesh Government had decided to fast track this project and signed an MoU late last year.

PTI reports: A committee under the Ministry of Environment and Forests has recommended the state-owned NTPC Limited to consider shifting the location of its proposed 4,000 MW power plant from the current site at Vishakhapatnam as the area is “ecologically sensitive“.

According to the minutes of the meeting of Experts Appraisal Committee under the Ministry, the region where the 4x1000 MW Pudimadaka Super Thermal Power Project in Andhra Pradesh is proposed, is a ‘tsunami prone area’

“The Committee after detailed deliberations opined that the proposed site is not environmentally and ecologically suitable as there are large number of water bodies in the proposed site and are inter-linked. Further, the creek is only about 100 metres away; the region falls in high flood zone/Tsunami prone area, and has high rainfall besides being close to salt pans.

Due to complex hydrological system, this area is ecologically sensitive. Hence, the proposed site in the present form cannot be recommended. The PP may relocate/shift the site away from the ecological sensitive area in consultation with the state government,” the committee said.