Forest clearance granted, can continue work:OPG tells Tribunal

The company also contended that the plea seeking direction to OPG not to start work without "all requisite prior permissions" on the project stands "infructuous" with the grant of forest clearance on April 26.

OPG made the submissions in response to a plea alleging violation of February 8 order of the Tribunal to stop construction work on the 2x150 MW thermal power plant at village Bhadreshwar, Mundra, District Kutch, Gujarat.

The Tribunal, however, did not pass an order today as the counsel for the appellant was not present in the court and the bench said "we would like to pass an order in his presence".

OPG told the court that the Ministry of Environment and Forest has granted forest clearance to it on April 26 and "now we are allowed to construct the project".

Earlier, on April 27, the Tribunal had directed Gujarat authorities to decide "as expeditiously as possible" the plea of OPG for approval of modification and technical changes in their 300 MW Bhadreshwar thermal power plant at Mundra.

OPG had told the Tribunal that it was working on an "alternative plan" for use of air cooling system instead of sea water, which will not require permissions under the Forest (Conservation) Act or clearance under CRZ Regulation.

OPG had moved a separate plea before the Tribunal saying that its application for approval of its proposed modification in the project plan was pending before the authorities and delay in deciding it could cause "prejudice and loss to the project proponent". (More) PTI UPT RKS