The Centre has given "environment clearance" for the Rs 5,813 crore 2x600MW North Chennai Thermal Power project Stage-II treating it as a "special case".
"As soon as we came to know, in one day we have given permission. Though there were technical issues, I have treated it as a special case.", Minister for Environment and Forests Jayanthi Natarajan told reporters here.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa last week shot off a letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh taking strong objection to the Ministry directing it obtain fresh environment clearance for the power project which was ready for commissioning.
"...applying the stipulations of the Environmental Impact Assessment Notification 2006, for the project governed by the earlier Environmental Impact Assessment Notification 1994, at this point of time when the project is ready for commissioning is not acceptable", Jayalalithaa had said, seeking Singh's intervention.
The two units of this project have been programmed to be synchronized in December this year and February next and were likely to be put in continuous operation in April-May next, she said, adding, the state was facing a huge power deficit to the tune of 4,000 MW.