Koradi Plant Gets environmental clearance, Nagpur faces pollution concerns

The Maharashtra State Power Generation Company (Mahagenco) has secured Environmental Clearance (EC) to build two 660 MW supercritical thermal power units at the Koradi Thermal Power Station. The project, aimed at replacing older units, will add 1,320 MW to Maharashtra’s power generation capacity. The Koradi plant currently has an installed capacity of 2,190 MW, and the construction of the new units is expected to take 4 to 5 years.

Mahagenco clears Koradi power plant expansion

Mahagenco officials stated that the clearance allows them to establish the units and construction. Mahagenco's overall thermal power generation will exceed 9,500 MW with the additional capacity. Besides the Koradi project, another 660 MW unit is slated for commissioning at Bhusawal soon.

Koradi is a major energy production hub with a capacity of 2,190 MW. Mahagenco’s plan to add two new 660 MW supercritical units aims to boost the state’s energy output. This expansion is crucial as Maharashtra’s energy demands grow due to industrial, commercial, and residential needs. The existing units are ageing, leading to a decline in efficiency. The new units will replace older systems with more efficient, environmentally friendly technologies, ensuring long term energy security.

The expansion has not come without controversy. In 2023, environmental concerns surrounding the Koradi plant led to legal action. An NGO, Vidarbha Connect (VCan), and two local citizens filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) with the Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court. They argued that the proposed expansion could worsen air and water pollution in the region, already facing environmental stress from existing power stations in Koradi and nearby Khaperkheda.

Petitioner’s counsel, Tushar Mandlekar, emphasized the potential dangers of the expansion, urging the court to consider the detrimental impact on Nagpur’s environment. The court, presided over by Justices Atul Chandurkar and Vrushali Joshi, adjourned the hearing until September 20, 2024, to further evaluate the case.

Court warns Mahagenco over pollution

The concerns led to scrutiny of Mahagenco's environmental record. On Wednesday, the Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court issued a warning to Mahagenco, threatening action under the Environment Protection Act, 1986, if the company failed to implement effective pollution control measures. The warning followed allegations that Mahagenco had neglected to install a flue gas desulfurizer (FGD) system to reduce harmful emissions. The bench, comprising Justices Nitin Sambre and Abhay Mantri, ordered Mahagenco to submit a progress report on the FGD installation within a week.

Local environmentalists, like Shripad Dharmadhikary, have criticized the EC process. Dharmadhikary referred to the clearance as "lip service" to environmental governance and emphasized that the area has long experienced pollution from active thermal plants.

The petitioners demanded that the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) take action against Mahagenco for failing to comply with the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change (MoEFCC) guidelines. They argued the proposed expansion violates the ministry's environmental regulations.

As Mahagenco plans to boost power generation, the tension between the state’s energy needs and environmental sustainability remains unresolved, with Nagpur residents and environmental advocates voicing concerns.

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