Jaitapur n-project's eco-clearance lapses

The partial and conditional environmental clearance granted to the upcoming Jaitapur nuclear power project (JNPP) on November 26, 2010, which was valid for five years, lapsed on November 26 this year, an activists' group said on Tuesday.

The clearance was granted vide a letter on November 26, 2010, signed by deputy director Om Prakash, in the ministry of environment and forests. It was valid for five years.

Point No.6 in the letter states: "The environmental clearance accorded shall be valid for a period of 5 years to start of production operations by the power plant (JNPP)."

Despite repeated attempts, top officials of the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd. (NPCIL) -- which is constructing the 9,900-MW JNPP with six plants of 1,650 MW each -- were not available for comments.

However, according to official sources, the process to get extension of the environmental clearance has already been initiated, but its current status is not known from the centre.

The Konkan Bachao Samiti (KBS), which is spearheading the anti-JNPP drive since the past few years, has warned of a fresh agitation if attempts are made to extend the lapsed environmental clearance without following the due processes.

"The circumstances have completely changed now as far as the environmental aspects for JNPP are concerned. Moreover, the original clearance, which lapsed last month, did not take into account the principal hazards of radioactivity or how to deal with it," KBS chairman Adwait Pednekar told IANS.

He demanded that since the NPCIL does not have a valid environmental clearance now, it should immediately stop all work at the project construction site.

Pednekar said "there is no provision for granting extension to a lapsed clearance" and hence the environment and forests ministry must issue a 'stop work' notice to NPCIL.

Shiv Sena Rajya Sabha member Sanjay Raut, when informed of the developments, said he was "not aware", but nevertheless the party's stand to oppose the JNPP would continue as before.

Much to the embarrassment of the ruling ally, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the Shiv Sena has consistently opposed the JNPP since the past several years.

According to Pednekar, any fresh environmental clearance can be granted only after going through the processes right from the start and it could take minimum one or two years to complete.

The JNPP will be the largest nuclear power generating station in the world in terms of net electrical power ratings.

It is coming up in collaboration with French company Areva S.A and the NPCIL at Madban village in Ratnagiri district of coastal Maharashtra on a 10 square km area, with the final cost not yet clear.

KBS activist Vivek Monteiro said that in case the due processes are not followed for granting fresh environmental clearances, they would "challenge it legally".

Interestingly, the environmental clearance was granted for five years "to the start of production operations" of JNPP, but presently, the project is nowhere near this target, nor does it figure in the NPCIL's current list of 'Projects Under Construction'.