NGT suspends green nod granted to Kaiga nuclear plant expansion [Read order]

NEW DELHI: The National Green Tribunal has ordered suspension of the environmental clearances granted to Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) for expansion of Kaiga Unit-5 and 6, in view of procedural lapses as the project was situated in eco sensitive region of the Western Ghats with Tiger reserve in its vicinity.

In its order, the Southern Bench of the NGT comprising Justice K Ramkrishnan (Judicial Member) Satyagopal Korlapati (Environment Member) said, "The Environmental Clearance (EC) granted to NPCIL for the expansion project of Kaiga Unit 5 & 6 by enhancing from 235 MW to 700 MW by the MoEF&CC dated 05.08.2019 is hereby suspended."

Till the NPCIL gets its fresh environmental clearances, the project proponent is directed not to commence the commissioning of the project, the order added.

The bench, however, said the NPCIL can proceed with the construction of the project subject to the further directions (if any) to be issued by the Ministry of Environment and Forest in this regard and at their risk.

A petition was filed by Kaiga Anuvidyut Sthaward 5 & 6 Ghataka Virodhi Horata Samiti, Karwar challenging the validity of the grant of environmental clearance on August 5, 2019, for expansion of the capacity of Kaiga Units 5 and 6 from 235 MW to 700 MW each.

The petitioner claimed that the project fell in the Western Ghats eco-sensitive zone and setting up a nuclear power project, a red category industry, is a threat to biodiversity of the area.  

The NGT also said that MOEF should issue additional terms of reference to the project proponent regarding whether project area falls within the eco-sensitive zone of Western Ghats. It also favoured examining how far the project will have impact on the Kaiga village.

The NGT also directed the NPCIL to conduct a study regarding the mitigation measures to be taken to address the issue, hydrological impact assessment before granting the consent for usage of water, about the possible impact of the project on environment eco-sensitive zone of Western Ghats and the impact on water bodies in that area and the health impact of the people due to atomic radiation from these units.

The NGT told the NPCIL to approach MOEF for getting green clearances for the expansion of the project.
 

[Read order]