UDUPI: In a major relief to greens, the National Green Tribunal, principal bench, New Delhi, has directed the state government to carry out a carrying capacity study in the region where Adani’s Udupi Power Corporation Limited is situated. The order has been passed based on an application filed by Udupi based, Janajagrithi Samithi.The bench further directed there would be no further activities in respect of the proposal for expansion. The bench already held that the environmental clearance dated Aug 1, 2017, for expansion by addition of 2x800 MW (Phase-II) imported coal based super critical thermal power project at Padubidri Industrial Area in Yellur is bad inter alia for having failed to comply with the mandatory requirement of holding public hearing in terms of stage-III of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Notification, 2006.
The NGT found that further studies are unavoidable in order to ensure the EIA is complete. It has directed that baseline data of the area in relation to the existing project of 2x600 MW should be collected while carrying capacity study of the area is carried out.
The NGT order stated the baseline data and the carrying capacity study will be considered as components for studying the impact in relation to the proposed expansion. The bench added a fresh public hearing should be conducted strictly ensuring wide participation of the people affected by the project.
Reacting to the NGT order, a senior official from Adani maintained that the order has just come out, and that technical experts will look into the order.