Date:16/12/2004 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2004/12/16/stories/2004121601911700.htm

Back DVC to seek pollution control board nod for thermal power project

Pratim Ranjan Bose

Kolkata , Dec. 15

ENCOURAGED by measures initiated by the West Bengal Pollution Control Board (WBPCB), the Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC) has decided to make a fresh petition to the Central Pollution Control Board for its proposed 1,000-MW thermal power plant at Andal in Durgapur.

The 2 x 500 MW project, at an estimated cost of Rs 4,000 crore, had run into rough weather as the CPCB had denied approval on the ground that it would add to the already polluted environment of the locality.

Conceived as part of the capacity expansion plan during the ongoing Plan period, the project was proposed to be set up on the excess land under the jurisdiction of Durgapur Steel Plant of Steel Authority of India Ltd.

In its communication in October this year, the CPCB had indicated that pollution in the locality concerned had reached a substantially high level. While the board had advised DVC to choose a different location, the corporation made a plea before WBPCB to take steps to bring the existing pollution level within permissible limits.

DVC sources said that the board had taken steps against polluting industries specially the sponge iron units that were often found to be switching off emission control equipment to reduce on energy bills.

WBPCB is also reportedly considering taking the help of sensory technology to maintain strict vigil on the sponge iron units.