Mahagenco is so desperate to get environmental clearance for its two new 660MW units at Koradi that it is resorting to underhand tactics.

The company had submitted a proposal to expert appraisal committee (EAC) of ministry of environment, forests and climate change (MoEFCC). The committee decided to send a six-member team for site visit as Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) had submitted an adverse report regarding level of pollution in the area.

The team visited Koradi from August 1 to 3, 2019. During this period, Mahagenco closed down all the five units of Koradi plant citing maintenance shutdown and no demand from grid. It also shut down two out of the five units of nearby Khaparkheda plant during this period.

In spite of this, the team found that the level of pollutants in Koradi area was far above the limit.

A look at the daily reports of Maharashtra State Load Despatch Centre (MSLDC) reveals that many 500MW units of Bhusawal and Chandrapur were active during this period. In order to present a proper picture to the team, Mahagenco could have run a few units of Koradi plant.

The permissible level of particulate matter (PM) for 210MW units is 100 mg/Nm3. The PM emission level of two 210MW Koradi units was between 126 and 358 mg/Nm3. The PM level for three 660MW units was, however, within limits. For Khaparkheda 210MW units, the range was from 95 to 238 mg/Nm3. The PM level for 500MW unit was within the specified limit.

The permissible level of sulphur dioxide (SO2) for 210MW units is 600 mg/Nm3. In case of Koradi units, the range was between 835 and 1527 mg/Nm3. The permissible level of SO2 for 660MW units is 100 mg/Nm3. For the three 660MW units of Koradi, the emission levels were 1477 to 1722 mg/Nm3. The SO2 level of 210MW units of Khaparkheda was 1174 to 1218 mg/Nm3 while that for 500MW was 1615 mg/Nm3 against a limit of 100.

The permissible level of nitrogen oxides (NOx) for 210MW units is 600 mg/Nm3. The emission level of all 210MW units at the two power plants was within the limits. The level for 500MW and 660MW units is 100 mg/Nm3. The figures for Koradi and Khaparkheda units ranged from 297 to 351 mg/Nm3.

Sudhir Paliwal, convener of Vidarbha Environmental Action Group (VEAG), has demanded that the EAC team should conduct re-inspection of Koradi. “During rainy season, level of pollution goes down. In addition, Mahagenco got an excuse to shut down the entire plant. The inspection should be conducted during winter when the plants run at full load,” he said.