An Environment Ministry Committee has rejected all three sites selected by Tamil Nadu Generation & Distribution Corporation Ltd., (TANGEDCO) for setting up of a 4,000-MW thermal power plant worth Rs. 24,000 crore in Ramanathapuram district, saying that the locations are in an ecologically sensitive marine national park area and close to coral reef island ecosystems.
The Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) on thermal power and coal mining has asked the state utility to look for alternative sites.
In September 2015, Chief Minister Jayalalithaa announced the project in the Assembly. Following the announcement, TANGEDCO shortlisted three sites for the project.
According to the minutes of the EAC meeting on August 30, the proposed sites were at Kadaladi Taluka. Tharaikudi Kannirajapuram Narippaiyur village was mentioned as the preferred site, while Kondalampatti village and Valinokkam and Siraikulam villages were mentioned as the second and third alternatives.
The EAC noted that all the three sites are located in the buffer zone of Marine National Park of the Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve.
“Further, all the three sites are located within 5.5 km–11.0 km from the biologically rich coral reef island ecosystems of the Marine National Park of Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve,” as per the details in the minutes.
Hence, it has directed the State power utility body to suggest alternative sites.
Says locations are in an ecologically sensitive marine national park and are close to coral reefs
