MINUTES OF THE 1st MEETING OF RECONSTITUTED EXPERT ...

part of CSR activity. Accordingly it was decided that the project proponent shall
revise CSR action plan and provide committed expenditure with activity wise
breakup to the Ministry both onetime Capital expenditure during construction
phase as also annual CSR expenditure till the running of the plant.
The Committee also decided that the project proponent shall monitor heavy
metals and radio activity concentration in ground water around ash pond and
formulate appropriate mechanism for continuous monitoring of these
parameters. Accordingly mechanism to be adopted and agency to be involved
shall be communicated to the Ministry.
The Committee discussed in detail the Public Hearing issues raised in the
Public Hearing held on 23.09.2009 and the response provided by the project
proponent. The major issues raised were regarding adoption of environment
protection technology; provision of employment to the local people; fluoride in
ground water; ground water contamination with heavy metals; impact on
agriculture and Rihand Dam due to fly ash; transportation of coal and lack of
medical facilities etc.
The Committee noted that many of the issues raised were not directly related
with pollution arising from the plant alone. The project proponent, as proactive
measure, shall ensure that all possible engineering solutions are adopted in
running the plant in conformity with environmental requirements including the
proposed expansion as a model plant with sound environmental integrity.
It was further noted that soft copies of Form-I, Feasibility report, EIA/EMP
report and its addendum, public hearing proceedings, MoU/FSA for fuel etc.
shall be first submitted (if not already done).
Based on the information and clarifications provided, the Committee
recommends the project for environmental clearance subject to stipulation of
the following specific conditions:
(i)
(ii)
(iii)
Harnessing solar power within the premises of the plant particularly at
available roof tops shall be undertaken and status of implementation
shall be submitted periodically to the Regional Office of the Ministry.
Sulphur and ash contents in the coal to be used in the project shall not
exceed 0.5% and 40 % respectively at any given time. In case of
variation of coal quality at any point of time, fresh reference shall be
made to the Ministry for suitable amendments to environmental
clearance condition wherever necessary.
Stack of 100 m height shall be provided with continuous online
monitoring equipments for SOx, NOx and Particulate Matter (PM2.5 &
PM10). Exit velocity of flue gases shall not be less than 22 m/sec.
Mercury emissions from stack shall also be monitored on periodic basis.
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