Ahead Of Public Hearing Concerns Rise Over Expansion Of Ennore Thermal Power Station (Image-X/karthi9003)
Chennai: Concerns have resurfaced over the Tangedco’s Ennore Thermal Power Station (ETPS) expansion project, as the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) is set to hold a public hearing on December 20. Environmentalists and public have been raising alarms over the potential health hazards and environmental risks associated with the project.
The Tamil Nadu government has decided to expand the ETPS with an installed capacity of 660 megawatts (MW) under a public private partnership. But the project which was announced in 2014 faced multiple delays over years. And when the environmental clearance was set to expire in 2019, Tangedco applied for a fresh clearance without a public hearing, which the Union Environment Ministry approved.
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However, in 2021, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) suspended the clearance and ordered a public hearing. This hearing, scheduled for 2022, was postponed due to COVID-19. And finally, the public hearing is now rescheduled to be held at 11 AM at Perunthalaivar Kamarajar Maligai in Ernavur on December 20.
Ahead of the public hearing, concerns against this project have been raised by the public, since the region is heavily polluted with the presence of various power plants, ports, oil refineries, cement factories, and chemical industries. As per the reports presented by Poovulagin Nanbargal, an environmental organisation, it is mentioned that more than 40 hazardous industries were sited within an area of 20 sq km in Ennore and Manali. The proposed site is located close to a housing colony of 30,000 residents, violating the environmental regulations.
Moreover, reports also highlight the environmental impacts caused by these industries. It states that the fly ash, which excretes from the thermal power plants, also affects the fertility of the soil to an extent where even the prosopis Juliflora cannot grow. It also affects the fishery production of the villages around the site.
The expansion threatens to encroach on wetlands, including the Kosasthalaiyar River and Ennore Creek. These areas serve as critical habitats for migratory birds, mangroves, and oyster reefs while supporting local fisherfolk, say environmentalists.
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As per reports, on average, from a 500 MW thermal power plant, approximately 105 tonnes of sulphur dioxide, 24 tonnes of nitrogen oxide, and 3500 tonnes of ashes were excreted from these industries. It also poses threats over the existence of livelihood around the sites. Notably, the National Green Tribunal has also issued recommendations on banning red category industries in the region.
Reports also reveal a high prevalence of respiratory symptoms among children under five years in the Ennore area, with 63% (of 207 responses) reporting symptoms such as dry cough, nasal congestion, and breathing difficulties, which is significantly high compared to data in the National Family Health Survey-5 for Chennai and Tiruvallur districts. Environmentalists also cautioned that the expansion would worsen the situation, as the survey was conducted near the proposed area.
