Adani power project in MP may hit roadblock

In fresh trouble for the Adani power group, Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh today indicated his ministry would not approve the company’s proposal for drawing water from the Pench Tiger reserve for its project in Madhya Pradesh.

“Though the company (Adani Power Ltd) is yet to approach us for environment clearance, we are clear that we will not allow diversion of water from the protected areas to any commercial use,” Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh said on the sidelines of a function.

He, however, said the matter would be decided only when it comes for consideration at the meeting of National Board of Wildlife, a highest body under the environment ministry for giving green nod to the projects.

The project pertains to the 1,320 Mw coal-based thermal power plant proposed by Adani Power Ltd, belonging to the $5 billion Adani group in close proximity of the Pench Tiger reserve in Chhindwara district in Madhya Pradesh. Ramesh said the ministry had last year rejected a similar case proposed by Ambuja Cement Pvt Ld which had sought to drawing water from Majthal Wildlife Sanctuary in Himachal Pradesh for the expansion of its plant.

Rejecting the proposal, the ministry had pointed that using water from a sanctuary for commercial purpose amounts to violation of Section 29 of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.