NTPC to prepare EIA report on switching to gas at Badarpur plant

In a fillip to Delhi Government's plan to switch from coal to environment-friendly gas at Badarpur power station, a Central panel has given its nod to the pre-construction activities. Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) under the Environment Ministry, at a recent meeting, has issued the terms of reference (ToR) to the project proponent, NTPC, asking it to prepare a detailed environment impact assessment (EIA) report and the environment management plan for the project. EIA is a study of human activities that can be sustained without any adverse impact on the environment and has to be mandatorily prepared by a project proponent before it could seek environment clearance.

Each year, the Badarpur power plant releases 5 mega million tonnes of carbon dioxide into Delhi’s air.The Petroleum Ministry has already agreed to provide 7.10 million cubic metres a day (mmscmd) of natural gas to the 705 mega watt (mw) power coal plant in south Delhi for generating additional 1050 mw to meet the power needs of the city, a Delhi Government official said.  Switching over to gas-based plants is part of the state government's move to cut down air pollution levels in the city and also to tackle climate change threat.  The EAC has sought detailed socio-economic study, an action plan for identification of local employable youth for training in skills relevant to it as well as a layout plan indicating break-up of plant, green belt, infrastructure, roads and others as TOR to get the final approval, the official said.  The EAC has also asked NTPC to get clearance from Central Pollution Control Board to ensure that it does not fall in the critically polluted clusters/ industrial areas identified by it.

The Delhi government has set 2012 as target date for switching over the Badarpur power plant to gas to add to its list of already two gas-run units of Pragati Power, which produce 330 mw. pesently the three coal-based power stations are the 705 mw Badarpur power plant, the 150 mw Rajghat power plant and the 100 mw Indraprastha power station.