HYDERABAD: In a major blow to the state government, the Centre has denied permission to the commissioning of 4,000 MW Yadadri Thermal Power Station (YTPS) units citing environmental issues. The state has already spent Rs 20,000 crore on the project and was readying to synchronize the two completed units in YTPS by September.
In the backdrop of the latest National Green Tribunal (NGT) directives, the future of the prestigious YTPS hangs in the balance.
Following the appeals filed by NGOs-Conservation Action Trust of Mumbai and Samatha of Vizag, NGT stopped commissioning of the power plants, but allowed them to continue the YTPS civil works.
Contesting the environment clearance (EC) granted by EAC to the thermal power station, NGT directed the union ministry of environment, forest and climate change (MOEFCC) to examine the objections that have been raised by June 30.
YTPS is constructed by Telangana State Power Generation Corporation Limited (TSGENCO) with 4000 MW (5X800 MW) at Dameracherla in Nalgonda district with super critical technology. The state government had a MoU with BHEL after the environmental clearance was granted by MOEF&CC on June 26, 2017. Consent for Establishment (CFE) was granted by the Telangana State Pollution Control Board (TSPCB) on July 25, 2017.
However, NGT, Chennai has disposed of the appeal of NGOs giving directions to MOEF&CC to carry out certain studies and analysis related to the project. As per the directions of NGT (SZ), the union ministry was to examine and issue additional ‘terms of reference’, if required. TSGENCO has on multiple occasions urged MOEF&CC to enable them to file an application on the Parivesh portal for further processing but in vain.
Speaking to Deccan Chronicle, energy minister G. Jagadish Reddy said that they had obliged all the parameters with regard to YTPS.
“We took utmost care before beginning YTPS works to avoid any delay during construction’, he said. “We took up the works at an estimated cost of Rs 34,400 crore, only after getting all clearances, including environmental,” he explained. Any further delay in the process may lead to delay in commissioning of the units, he said.
TSGENCO director (civil) A. Ajay said that they had written five letters to MOEF&CC in the last nine months, but it was yet to respond.
Concerns of radiology, coal analysis, ash pond and wildlife issues related to YTPS were cleared by the concerned agencies of BARC and JNTUH, he said.
