In view of moratorium on new projects particularly those relating to ports, harbours and jetties at the country’s fragile coastal zone, the Centre has rejected two proposals including setting up of a thermal power plant.
“Presently, assessment of damage to eco-fragile coast caused by the existing projects is being conducted by a high-level monitoring body. This would be completed by November-end,” a senior environment ministry official said.
“Till then no project, including ones in the expansion stage will be given clearance on the coastal region,” he said.
The two projects had come for environment clearance before a ministerial panel in September.
But, citing the three-month moratorium which came into force from September banning coastal projects particularly those relating to Ports, Harbours, Jetties and their expansion cases till October—2009, the proposals were turned down.
Patni Energy Ltd had sought environmental and CRZ clearance for the construction of jetty, conveyor belt, intake and outfall facilities at Medhakhar in Maharashtra involving setting up a 405 MW (270 MW-phase I and 135 MW- Phase II) coal based thermal power plant with an investment of Rs 1,620 crores.
The other project that has been turned down is that of Tridem Port and Power Co Pvt Ld which had sought clearance for installation of Port at Thirukkuvalai in Nagapattinam district in Tamil Nadu.
