A resident of Panaiyur Periakuppam in Kancheepuram has moved the National Green Tribunal here challenging the Environment Clearance (EC) awarded recently to the proposed 4,000 Megawatt Ultra Mega Power Project in Cheyyur belonging to the Power Finance Corporation by the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF).
This is the second case relating to the project now with the NGT. Last year, the same petitioner filed a petition against the EC provided by the ministry to the coal jetty for the plant. In this case, the NGT recently issued directions to the project proponents not to finalise bids for the project till further orders are issued in the case.
In their petition, M Marimuthu, a resident of Panaiyur, where the coal jetty is proposed to be set up, and K Saravanan, an activist, prayed for the setting aside of the recommendation made by Expert Appraisal Panel of the MoEF to award the EC to the project. As per the rule, the EC is deemed to be given after 45 days of the recommendation.They alleged that there were discrepancies between the land identified for the plant and the one being acquired now. In the current case, the project proponent, who prepared the Environment Impact Assessment report was not the same as the one who would execute the project.