MINUTES OF THE 54th MEETING OF RECONSTITUTED EXPERT APPRAISAL COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT OF THERMAL POWER AND COAL MINE PROJECTS

The 54th Meeting of the reconstituted Expert Appraisal Committee (T) was held during September 10-12, 2009 at India Islamic Cultural Centre, Lodi Road, New Delhi. The list of Members present is given below.

1.        Shri Balraj - Chairman

2.        Dr. C.R. Babu - Member

3.        Shri V.K. Singh - Member

4.        Dr. Arijit Dey - Member

5.        Shri M.S.Puri - Member

6.        Dr. B. Sudhakara Reddy - Member

7.        Dr. S.K. Paliwal  - Member

8.        Shri T.K. Dhar - Member

9.        Prof. R.V. Rama Rao - Member

10.     Sh. K. Gowrappan - Member

11.     Dr. S.D. Attri - Member

12.     Dr. Lalit Kapur - - Member Secretary

In attendance: Sh. W. Bharat Singh, Dy. Director, MoEF. The deliberations held and the decisions taken are given as under:

Date: 10.09.2009

Item No. 1: Confirmation of the minutes of 52nd Meeting.

The Chairman welcomed the new Deputy Director, Shri W. Bharat Singh and acknowledged the services rendered by Shri Om Prakash, Dy. Director, MoEF. Thereafter, discussion on each of the agenda items was taken up seriatim.

The minutes of the 52nd Meeting of the EAC held on August 10-11, 2009 were confirmed with minor corrections

2.5 3x660 MW Replacement/Expansion of coal based power units at Koradi TPP of M/s Maharashtra State Power Generation Co. Ltd. (M/s Mahagenco), in Nagpur District, in Maharashtra -reg. Environmental Clearance (reconsideration).

The proposal was earlier considered in the 52nd Meeting of the EAC (T) held during August 10-11, 2009. The matter was deferred in the said meeting as was unable to clarify the discrepancies in the prediction of air quality results. The proponent was required to conduct modeling exercise afresh and to come back with all relevant details. The matter was accordingly placed before the EAC.

The proposal is for replacement of existing 4 units of 120 MW each by a 660 MW unit and addition of 2 more units of 660 MW each. The proponent made a presentation on the proposal. It was informed that additional fresh water will be required for this proposed expansion project. The sewage collected by Nagpur Municipal Corporation will be treated and utilized. It is proposed to install a tri-flue stack of 275 m height. Washed coal will be used for the project. The slurry disposal method proposed is based on high concentration slurry based on the experience of Khaparkheda TPP. NOC from AAI for 275 m stack height has been accorded. NOC from Gram Panchayat has also been obtained. MoU with Nagpur Municipal Corporation is in place. Kolar river is at a distance of 1.0 km from the site. No R7R is involved. Proposed units will be installed with 99.9 % efficiency ESP. FGD with one unit of 660 MW will be installed initially and the requirement, if any, for the installation of FGD system with the other two units will depend upon the prevalent ambient levels of SO2. Public hearing was conducted on 25.03.2009. The proponent also submitted a detailed response to the representation of Vidarbha Industries Association, Nagpur. The EAC also discussed the issues raised in the representations received against the project. The main issues raised were regarding impact on Multi dollar International Cargo Hub and Airport proposed in Nagpur city due to the project; impact on ambient air quality of Nagpur due to proposed expansion; transmission lines passing through agricultural fields for power generated in Nagpur and transported to other states/regions; location of plant w.r.t. coal mine at large distance; water consumption due to expansion; coal mine catering to the plant yet to be given clearance; diversion of irrigation water due to proposed expansion; capacity of existing ash pond to cater proposed expansion; lack of 100% utilization of fly ash from existing etc. The Committee found the replies

satisfactory. The proponent also further submitted that no civil or criminal case is pending in any courts related to the project.

Based on the information and clarifications provided, the Committee recommended the project for environmental clearance subject to stipulation of the following specific conditions:

i)         FGD with one unit of 660 MW will be installed initially and the requirement, if any, for the installation of FGD system with the other two units will depend upon the prevalent ambient levels of SO2.

ii)       Clay lining shall be undertaken in the mica mines where fly ash is proposed to be disposed off.

iii)      Action plan for utilization of 100 % utilization of Fly Ash to be made within four years shall be submitted to the Ministry within six months.

iv)      Hydro-geological study of the area shall be reviewed annually and results submitted to the Ministry and concerned agency in the State Govt. In case adverse impact on ground water quality and quantity is observed, immediate mitigating steps to contain any adverse impact on ground water shall be undertaken.

v)        Monitoring of ground and surface water quality (if any nearby) shall be regularly conducted and records maintained. The monitored data shall be submitted to the Ministry regularly. Further, monitoring points shall be located between the plant and drainage in the direction of flow of ground water and records maintained. Monitoring for heavy metals in ground water shall be undertaken.

vi)      Shelter Belt i.e Wind Break consisting of 5 tiers of plantations around plant at least 100 m width shall be raised.

vii)     Zero discharge shall be obtained within a reasonable period not exceeding four years.

viii)   Waste water generated from the plant shall be treated and recycled and reused in the plant for development of green belt or other suitable applications.

ix)      A well designed rain water harvesting system shall be put in place within six months, which shall comprises of rain water collection from the built up and open area in the plant premises. Status of implementation shall be submitted to the Ministry within six months.

x)        Well designed acoustic enclosures for the DG sets and noise emitting equipments to achieve the desirable insertion laws viz. 25 dB(A) should be provided.

xi)      The emission of particulate matter should not exceed 50 mg/Nm3. The proponent should cooperate with the Government for the development of the area, nearby schools and basic amenities.

xii)    An amount of Rs. 20.0 Crores as one time investment should be earmarked for activities to be taken up under CSR by the above proponent. Recurring expenditure for CSR shall not be less than 4.0 crores per annum.

xiii)   Need based assessment for the nearby villages shall be conducted to study economic measures with action plan which can help in upliftment of poor section of society. Income generating projects consistent with the traditional skills of the people besides development of fodder farm, fruit bearing orchards, vocational training etc. can form a part of such programme. Company shall provide separate budget for community development activities and income generating programmes. This will be in addition to vocational training for individuals imparted to take up self employment and jobs.

OFFICE NOTE CGM/CEHSU/3x660 MW Expn. Proj./KTPS / Date: 28.09.2009

Sub: "Environmental Clearance" granted by the Ministry of Environment and Forests(MoEF), Govt. of India, New Delhi & for the proposed 3x660 MW capacity expansion project at Koradi KTPS

Ref: 1) MoEF Letter No. J-13011/ 53/ 2008 - I A-II (T) dtd. 30/01/ 2009 2) MPCB letter No.BO/RO/(P&P)/CC-485 dated 30/12/2008

With reference to above, please find enclosed herewith copy of "Environmental

Clearance" granted by the Ministry of Environment and Forests, Govt. of India, New

Delhi and "Consent to Establish" given by Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB)

for the proposed 3x660 MW capacity expansion project at Koradi KTPS

It is requested to take further necessary action as per the conditions stipulated in the

above "Environmental Clearance" & "Consent to Establish".

Encl: As above.

Chief General Manager (CEHSU)Chief General Manager (Gen. P & P )

Copy submitted a/w enclosure w.rs.to:

1. Executive Director (G.P.-I), MAHAGENCO, Mumbai.2. Executive Director (G.P.-II), Koradi,MAHAGENCO, Nagpur.

Copy a/w enclosure f.w.cs.to:

1. Chief General Manager (PMG), MAHAGENCO, Mumbai.

2. Chief General Manager (Gen. Constn.), MAHAGENCO,. Koradi,

3. Chief General Manager (Civil) Gen.-I, Dharavi, MAHAGENCO, Mumbai.

4. Chief General Manager (Civil) Gen.-II, MAHAGENCO, Koradi.

5. Chief General Manager (Civil) Gen.-III, MAHAGENCO, Mumbai

6. Chief General Manager (HR), MAHAGENCO, Mumbai

6. Chief General Manager (Gen. O&M), CSPTPS, MAHAGENCO, Chandrapur.

7. General Manager (Gen. Proj.), CSTPS Expan. Proj.(2x500MW), Chandrapur