Hyderabad: The 4,000-MW Yadadri thermal power plant proposed to be set up at Damaracherla in Nalgonda district will require over 6.5 tmc ft of water every year. The Telangana state government has issued orders allocating water from Krishna river. However, the expert appraisal committee of the Union environment ministry has objected, stating that TSGenco and the consultants appointed by it had failed to clarify in the environment impact assessment report whether this water was from the quantum allocated to the state.
Sources said the committee sought clarity on coal linkage as well. The ministry report stated that TSGenco entered into an MoU with Singareni Collieries and a Mumbai-based firm for coal linkage when it is for the Centre to make coal allocations. The EAC has also stated that the EIA report submitted by TSGenco does not clarify on the rail linkage. The power plant is 17 km from the railway station, and the assessment does not say whether the Railways has agreed to lay a line up to the plant.“The committee has asked TSGenco to produce a confirmation letter of 6.5 tmc ft water allocation from the TS government,” a senior official said. It also wanted clarity on setting up a de-sulphurisation plant and coal linkage.
The committee wanted TSGenco to post details on the websites of the environment ministry, TSGenco and TS Pollution Control Board so that stakeholders could submit their objections and suggestions. “Fifteen days would be given to stakeholders and others concerned to submit their suggestions and objections," said a senior official. TSGenco chairman and managing director D. Prabhakar Rao said that these issues were attended to by TSGenco before the report was submitted.
