Green panel defers decision on Tata Power's Versova proj

The Centre's green panel has deferred its decision on giving environment clearance to the Tata Power's proposal for laying 220kV underground electric cable in Versova, Mumbai saying it should first get Municipal Corporation's permission.
At present, the electricity demand in Versova area is served by Tata Power's Versova Receiving Station. The proposed project aims to augment power supply to the Versova Receiving Station by upgrading to 220 kV.
The proposal is on laying 220 kV underground electric cable in a total length of 3.378 km in Versova, which includes a stretch of 1.59 km in coastal regulation zone (CRZ) area.

"The Tata Power's proposal was discussed in the recent meeting of the Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC). The proposal was, however, deferred for want of more inputs," a senior government official said.
During the examination, it was revealed that the precise route of the cable pathway/underground cabling was yet not firmed up and was not having the clearance from the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MCGM).
"The project proponent were advised to get the desired clearance of the MCGM which would be subject to obtaining CRZ clearance in the required area for CRZ," the official said.
The official also mentioned that the Committee was satisfied with the necessity of the project for Mumbai, though it was felt that the Master Plan for such cabling project should have been prepared well in advance so that the entire work could be completed quickly.

The cost of the proposed project is estimated to be Rs 87.92 crore. It will improve reliability and adequate power supply to the Mumbai island.