MRN Cane Power gets green nod for sugar plant in Karnataka

MRN Cane Power India has received green nod for setting up a new industrial complex comprising sugar, co-generation power and alcohol units in Bagalkot district, Karnataka at a cost of Rs 401.23 crore.
A newly incorporated company has proposed to establish an integrated sugar unit with a crushing capacity of 5,000 tonnes cane per day, 35 mw co-generation power plant and 65 kilo litre per day (KLPD) molasses-based distillery at Kallapur village.
"Based on the recommendations of the Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC), the Environment Ministry has given accord to MRN Cane Power India Ltd's proposal," a senior government official said.

The clearance given to the proposed sugar project is subject to certain conditions, the official added.
The capital investment for the proposed project would be Rs 401.23 crore. About 233 acres of land has already been acquired, and raw material, especially sugarcane, would be procured from within the district.
Among conditions specified, MRN Cane Power India has been asked to provide electrostatic precipitator along with stack of adequate height to bagasse and coal fired boiler to control particulate emissions.

The company has been asked to construct 'pucca' approach road to the project site prior to commencement of the construction activity of the main distillery to avoid fugitive emissions.

According to the conditions, total fresh water requirement from Malprabha river should not exceed 505 cubic metre (m3) per day for the sugar unit, 308 m3/day for co-generation and 560 m3/day for distillery. No ground water should be used without permission.
The company has been asked to adopt 'zero discharge' and ensure no effluent from sugar, distillery and co-generation power plant is discharged outside the plant premises.
It has also been asked to develop green belt in over 33 per cent of land within the plant premises.