Review of Bhavanapadu 2640 MW TPP of ECEPL - A Ritual & Eyewash ?

The Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) on Thermal Power Projects in its 24 th meeting held on 2-3 May 2011 recommended that that the Ministry may rescind the stop work order issued on March 01, 2011, at the proposed power plant site of Bhavanapadu 2640 MW TPP of ECEPL at Kakarapalli, since at this stage, a zero base level assessment of the project is not a feasibility.

 

Reject Recommendation of EAC and Cancel EC

 

In accordance with Sub- Para 8 (vi) of EIA Notification, the deliberate concealment and/or submission of false or misleading information or data which is material to screening or scoping or appraisal or decision on the application shall make the application liable for rejection, and cancellation of prior environmental clearance granted on that basis.

It is therefore requested that the recommendation of EAC be rejected outright and the E.C granted to Bhavanapadu 2640 MW TPP of ECEPL at Kakarapalli, be cancelled by MOEF, after giving a personal hearing to the project proponent and following the principles of natural justice, based on the following facts & ground realities::

a) The NEAA in its Order dated 30-8-2010 observed that various reports including that of sub-committee of EAC were found to be incorrect
     and EAC & in turn the MOEF has relied on these reports for granting Environmental Clearance(EC) for the project.

 

b) The NEAA also observed that as stated by the expert of BHNS and agreed by  Dr.Kaul, a renowned expert on Wetlands, elevation of

     the project site by the project  proponent, after the grant of EC nearly a year ago, has caused irreversible changes  in the character

    of the ecologically important wetland.

 

c) In the 17 th Meeting of the Standing Committee of National Board for Wild Life held on 22-12-2009, under the Chairmanship of the

    Minister for E&F, the site inspection  report of Dr.Asad Rahmani and Dr, Asha Rajvanshi had clearly stated that Naupada  Swamps

    area was an excellent habitat for Migratory Birds and was classified as IBAS.  It also stated that the entire area of the project,

    starting from approach road to the project site is marshy land and the EIA Report of the applicant ignored Bio diversity of the area.

 

d) AP High Court, while dismissing WP NO..9360/2009 observed that " A plain reading  of the reproduction from the counter of the

    Respondent - State makes it clear that clearance was granted by the State after due deliberation and application of mind" ---
   "It is amply clear that the Power Project area is not part of Naupada Swamp and as  such bereft of any ecological importance"

    This is far from the facts and the ground realities

 

Penal Action

 

Instead of filing false criminal cases against innocent villagers peacefully agitating against Kakarapalli Power Project, necessary penal action be initiated, in accordance with Sections 15,17 and 19 of The Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, against Project Proponent and the Officials responsible for suppressing the info and/or submitting incorrect/misleading info/data about the project site.

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