RAIGARH: NTPC Limited will invest Rs.787 Crores towards implementation of environmental protection measures for in its proposed Lara Integrated Super Thermal Power project. Today public hearing of the first phase of the project held in Mahloi village near Pusaur, Raigarh.

NTPC Limited, the largest thermal power generating company of India, is setting up 4000 MW capacity power plant in Lara near Raigarh, eastern part of Chhattisgarh State.

NTPC Ltd Lara Integrated Super Thermal Power to be established in two stages stage-I (2×800 MW) and Stage-II (3×800 MW).

“NTPC Ltd proposes Lara Super Thermal Power Project, Stage–I 2X800 MW, which is intended for faster implementation of power and other infrastructure projects in the Country. The estimated cost of the project is Rs. 11741.72 crores, which includes Rs. 787 crores for environmental protection measures.” Company representative informed during Public Hearing.

“ In pursuit to achieve its target to eliminate energy and peaking shortages in the country, NTPC Ltd proposes to set up Lara Integrated Super Thermal Power project (Lara STPP) in two stages stage-I (2×800 MW) and Stage-II (3×800 MW). Present proposal is for stage-I (2×800 MW). The Lara Super Thermal Power Project Stage-I (2×800 MW) is a bulk tendering project of NTPC.” Company said in EIA Report.

According to the report, during operation phase, the impacts on the various environmental attributes should be mitigated using appropriate pollution control equipment. The Environment Management Plan prepared for the proposed project aims at minimizing the pollution at source. A provision of Rs.787 Crores has been kept in Feasibility Report towards implementation of environmental protection measures for the proposed project.”

Post project environmental monitoring is important in terms of evaluating the performance of pollution control equipments installed in the project. The sampling and analysis of the environmental attributes will be as per the guidelines of CPCB/CGECB. Following attributes will be covered in the post project environmental monitoring in and around the project site:

1. Ambient air quality monitoring on bi-weekly, 24 hours basis in the plant area and in the surrounding villages with respect to PM10, PM2.5, SO2 and NOx

2. Source emissions will be monitored on monthly basis. Automatic continuous online monitoring system shall be installed in the stacks;

3. Water quality monitoring at intake point, surface water bodies and ground water in the surrounding villages. Further, the wells around the ash pond area will be identified and monitored on the monthly basis;

4. Treated wastewater before routing to clarifier will be analyzed on fortnightly basis. The pH, temperature, electric conductivity, TDS and flow will be monitored regularly;

5. The noise levels will be recorded in and around plant. The noise levels at boundary of the plant will be recorded on yearly basis;

6. The soil quality around ash pond area will be monitored once in three years to check for the fertility of the soil;

7. All the results will be compiled and thoroughly analyzed to assess the performance of the power plant; and

8. The results will be reported on regular basis to the Chhattisgarh Environment Conservation Board and regional office of MoEF.

According to the report, Provision of 100 meter width green belt around main plant area has been kept in the layout for green belt development. In addition, extensive plantation will be undertaken in and around the project site.

The main areas of ash utilisation are manufacturing of fly ash based products (portland·pozzolana cement, brick, light weight aggregates, asbestos cement products, cement concrete etc.) and use in land fills, structural fill etc. for development of land. NTPC Ltd will take all possible actions to utilize the ash in above mentioned areas. Provisions such as facilities for 100% extraction of dry fly ash, segregation of coarse and fine ash and fly ash storage and loading facilities; providing infrastructural facilities to the entrepreneurs, etc will encourage utilization of ash based products in the area.

Coal requirement for Lara-I, STPP project is estimated as 7.00 million tonne/annum, considering average GCV of 4200 kcal/kg and 90 % PLF shall be met from Talaipalli coal blocks (Mand-Raigarh coalfields) allotted to NTPC.

Coal is proposed to be transported from Coalfields through MGR/Indian Railways network.

About 2375 acres of land is required for setting up of Lara STPP Stage-I whereas 525 acres would require for ash pond of stage-II. The land identified for the project comprises of private agricultural land yielding single crop, Govt. land and Govt. forest land. Existing land use will be changed in to industrial use. The construction activities attract a sizeable population and influx of population is likely to be associated with construction of temporary hutment for construction work force. However, this will be only a temporary change and shall be restricted to construction period.

Chhattisgarh Government has approved 45 MCM per annum water for NTPC from Saradih barrage on Mahanadi River for Stage-I (2×800 MW) of the project. No ground water will be extracted for operation of plant. Therefore, no impact on water use is envisaged.