Tata Power has got major relief as the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) has accorded clearance under the Coastal Zone Regulations (CRZ) Notification, 2011 for enhancing coal handling capacity, installation of coal conveyor, stack yard and Flue-gas desulfurization (FGD) disposal at its Trombay plant in north east Mumbai. However, MoEF has laid down about 25 conditions to be strictly followed by Tata Power while carrying out proposed works at the Trombay plant, which has a total generation capacity 1,580 Mw. Of this capacity, one unit of 150 Mw unit is currently on standby. MoEF issued CRZ approval on May 12 this year.
The company needs to increase in coal handling capacity, installation of coal conveyor, stack yard and Flue-gas desulfurization (FGD) disposal, as it has proposed conversion of the 500 Mw unit 6 into coal-based from oil with an investment of Rs 1,174 crore. Tata Power has already received approval from the MoEF and Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) for unit 6 conversion. The company imports 2.4 million tonnes of coal for the existing coal-fired units and it has planned to expand the capacity of the Trombay coal terminal to 4.4 million tonnes a year.
According to MoEF, the company will have to obtain "Consent to Establish'' from MPCB under Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 and Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974. Further, the coal stock yard will have twice the containment on all the sides with clear drive away between two containments and the boundary fence. The height of wind screen will be three meters above the height of the coal stack and water sprinkling will be carried out for settling dust, as it is quite close to inhabited areas.
When contacted, Tata Power declined to comment. However, the company today released an advertisement in this regard to comply with the MoEF's approval.
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The company will have to provide three layers of green belt on all sides, including the ash pond, and the marine outfall will be through the existing outfall. MoEF has made it clear that the company will have to comply with all the conditions stipulated by MPCB.
This apart, Tata Power will have to put in place continuous an online monitoring system at the chimney, and data of emissions recorded will have to be submitted to MPCB. The company will have to keep the funds earmarked for environment protection measures in a separate account and it won't be diverted for other purpose.
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