National Green Tribunal issues stay order on second ash pond of GENCO

Nellore: National Green Tribunal (NGT) denied approval for the second ash pond proposed by the Sri Damodaram Sanjeevayya Thermal Power Station of the APGENCO located at Nelaturu in Muthukur mandal in Nellore district on the grounds of environmental problems in the locality.

The Thermal Power Station with a capacity of 2X800 MW super critical plant was commissioned in 2015 and foundation was also laid for the third unit in Feb 2016.

The main ash pond was located in the same area and the local people have been facing hardships due to pollution. Villagers of Pynampuram, Nelaturu, Varikavipudi, and Musunuruvaripalem were affected by the pollution. The plant with 800 megawatts capacity had proposed the second unit even though it has been generating less than 600 MW per annum for the last two years.

Due to severe pollution, people strongly objected the second ash pond and approached the district administration, Regional Office of the AP Pollution Control Board and also political leaders to stop plans for constructing the second ash pond.

The villagers launched several agitations and approached the National Green Tribunal (NGT), Chennai seeking stay orders on the move of the GENCO. The Regional Office of the APPCB had already issued directions to the plant authorities to give up the proposal and suggested them to obtain clearance from the Ministry of Environment and Forests for the second pond.

Still, due to pressure from ruling party leaders and contractors, plant officials had not stopped the works. The NGT from Delhi conducted a teleconference with the parties attended at Chennai office on Monday and issued stay orders on the second ash pond.

There were tribals and SC colonies close to Devaradibba village and the GENCO proposed the second ash pond there. Their lands have been acquired for the needs of TPCIL, GENCO and other thermal plants. Villagers have lost their livelihood besides facing severe health problems due to pollution.