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The power ministry has said it does not expect any delay in the progress of the 4,000 Megawatt Cheyyur Ultra Mega Power Project which is currently mired in a controversy with locals protesting environmental clearances for the coastal project.
Business Standard had reported on Thursday how the local fishermen community has challenged the clearances alleging the approvals were based on false claims made in the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) reports. “The project is not facing any hurdles. We are aware the National Green Tribunal (NGT) is considering a petition submitted by somebody,” power ministry’s Additional Secretary Ashok lavasa said at the sidelines of an event today.
He added the Ministry of Environment and Forest (MoEF) has already given its clearance for the project. “They will respond to the petition. I do not see how it can delay the (process of award of the) project as there is a valid clearance which has already been given by the competent authority,” Lavasa said.
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The ministry’s project financing arm Power Finance Corporation (PFC) has issued Request for Qualification (RFQ) inviting investors for the Rs 24,200 crore project. While the bidding process is one, the NGT had last month passed an order restricting PFC to go-ahead with the award of the project.
The order came in response to two petitions filed by locals challenging the grant of Environmental Clearance (EC) alleging large-scale violation of norms. The petitioners allege several facts in the EIA report do not match ground reality. This includes the site selection process, land requirement for the project, type of land appropriated, estimate of ecological resources in the area and livelihood loss for the local community.
