Expressing discontent over the recent recommendation of a Central committee to grant permission to the Nuclear Power Corporation of India (NPCIL) to operate a desalination facility at the Koodankulam Nuclear Power Plant (KKNPP) under the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) notification, a group of activists has said that the move increases the risk of violations in similar projects in coastal areas.
A recent meeting of an Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) of the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests had recommended permission to allow operation of a desalination plant at KKNPP that NPCIL had constructed in 2004 in violation of CRZ norms. The EAC had arrived at its decision based on recommendations made by the Tamil Nadu State Coastal Zone Management Authority (SCZMA) earlier this year.
Before CRZ notifications were introduced in 1991, there were restrictions on any coastal related project within 500 metres along the coast.
In 1989, exemptions from these restrictions were given for the KKNPP project as it was dependent on water from the Pechipparai Dam. However, due to the infeasibility of sourcing water from the dam, NPCIL decided in 2004 to build a desalination plant near the site, in violation of the CRZ notification.
“In late 2012, NPCIL applied for ex post-facto CRZ clearance with SCZMA for a desalination plant already constructed by it. The application is pending before SCZMA. The application for clearance is being made under CRZ notification, 2011. It also seeks CRZ clearance for a unit that was constructed in violation of the CRZ notification of 1991,” said Nityanand Jayaraman, an activist.
He added, “Earlier this year, SCZMA confirmed its recommendation of NPCIL’s application for ex post facto validation under CRZ Notification, 2011, for structures constructed in violation of CRZ Notification, 1991. This was done even as there is no provision under both notifications for such ex post facto validation. This recommendation construes an act beyond the SCZMA’s purview.”
He claimed that NPCIL was wrongfully seeking exemption from CRZ by claiming that the project was part of the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE). He contended that NPCIL-KKNPP, being registered under the Companies Act, was a commercial venture and could not be a DAE project. Since it uses seawater, NPCIL could not ask for a CRZ exemption.
“If NPCIL is given clearance, it will set a bad precedent and ex post facto validation will be sought for all other coastal projects that violate CRZ notifications till date. This could cause drastic damage to the coastal environment,” said another activist.