NTPC misled ministry on Kudgi plant, says NGO
Fears raised over site being close to Almatti backwaters
A day after the state-owned power producer National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) got the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) clearance for its proposed mega thermal power project at Kudgi in Basavanabagevadi, Bijapur district, voices of dissent are being heard in the district.
Retired atomic scientist M P Patil, president of Parisara Rakshana Seva Vedike which is opposing the project, has alleged that the NTPC has obtained the MoEF clearance by claiming that there is no controversy surrounding the project even though a public interest litigation has been filed in the High Court against the project.
The High Court admitted the petition on September 14 in which the organisation has contended that 50 per cent of the project site comprised irrigated land.
The NTPC has, however, claimed that 97 per cent of the project site is barren land and has also said that there were no cases against the project in any court of law, he said.
Further, the organisation argues that the project has been planned near the backwaters of Almatti reservoir raising concerns of water contamination.
“We are not against the thermal power project, we are only opposing the location chosen for implementing the project,” Patil said.
The NTPC is acquiring 3,000 acres of land in Kudgi, Masuthi, Telgi and Gulasangi villages and is investing Rs 20,000 crore for the project. The Kudgi plant will have a total installed capacity of 4,000 MW.
In the first phase, the NTPC will set up three units capable of generating 800 MW each (total 2,400 MW) and in the second, two more units will be set up.
The NTPC has already set up an office at Bijapur and has begun the process of demarcating the project site.
NTPC clarifies
In their reply to the allegation, NTPC officials maintained that the project was being carried out by the Centre-owned NTPC leaving no room for irregularities.
“We have obtained the MoEF clearance after following all the rules and regulations,” they said.
