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DOCUMENT ON PUBLIC HEARING

Public Hearing meeting has been conducted on 10-01-2014 for Dr. Narla Tata Rao Thermal Power Station (Dr. NTTPS) Stage-V (1x800 MW). Public Hearing minutes, action plan for fulfillment of assurances given to public in the public hearing, replies/clarifications to the points mentioned in the representations received by APPCB and List of attendance of the public during public hearing meeting are given here under.

Minutes of the Public Hearing of the proposed expansion (1 X 800 MW)of M/s. Dr. Narla Tatarao Thermal Power Station (Dr. NTTPS ) (formerly M/s. Vijayawada Thermal Power Station), Ibrahimpatnam (V) & (M), Krishna District held on 10-01-2014 at 11:00 AM at playground, A-Colony, Dr.NTTPS premises Ibrahimpatnam, Krishna District The public hearing for establishment of 800 MW coal based super critical thermal power plant was earlier proposed on 26-09-2013. However, the said public hearing was postponed due to Samaikyandhra agitation. Now, as per the provisions laid under EIA notification public hearing was proposed on 10-01- 2014, afresh. At the outset, the Environmental Engineer (EE), APPCB has informed that as per the provisions of MoEF notification dated 14th September 2006 and its amendments thereof, a public hearing notification was issued in “The Hindu”(English daily) and “Eenadu”(Telugu daily) dated 7-12-2013 informing about conduct of the public hearing, afresh. The public was informed that they can submit their views, suggestions, objections by oral or written and attend the public hearing on 10-01-2014. The EE, APPCB further stated that the concerns of the public will be recorded. He has requested the Additional Joint Collector, Krishna District to initiate the public hearing. At this juncture, the Collector and District Magistrate joined the public hearing. Then, the leaders of All Party Forum staged a dharna before the dais and raised slogans alleging that during last 30 years of operation of Dr.NTTPS units, the authorities of APGENCO did not implement any kind of welfare measures in the project affected surrounding villages. Hence, they demanded the postponement of public hearing for one more month. The Addl. Joint Collector requested the public to maintain silence and co-operate to conduct the public hearing. He has informed that opportunity would be given to the participants to express their concerns. The forum leaders demanded that the public hearing is to be conducted only after giving a written commitment on the welfare measures and demands raised by them earlier. The forum leaders expressed that the land allotted for greenbelt for Stage IV is being used for Stage V unit. The greenbelt is not being developed to the extent as required. The public repeatedly demanded for the postponement of the public hearing till a concrete action is taken on their requests. Shri D.Uma Maheswara Rao, Ex- Deputy Mayor, Vijayawada (CPM Party) has demanded the following:- 1. The development programs conducted by the APGENCO for the local people is not sufficient as

they are meager when compared to the loss occurred to them in respect of pollution of air / water etc. 2. APGENCO has to treat this area as an Urban area but not a rural area

3. APGENCO is informing that they have provided employment to the local people though they have

not provided up to the requirement as per the statutory rules and regulations. 4. Present issues are to be discussed across the table.

5. Requested for providing 100% employment to the affected village people.

6. Super Specialty Hospital is to be provided.

7. The facilities provided for the employees of the APGENCO are not to be stated as the facilities

provided for the affected village people. 8. APGENCO has to take remedial measures to reduce / control the pollution generated by the

present 1760MW units. The proposed plant would be constructed by destroying the existing greenery in the existing premises.

9. Further proceeding of public hearing shall be stopped immediately. He requested to respect the

resolution passed by all village panchayats. He further informed that the people are not against the project but insisted to implement the demands.

The public have given slogans and demanded to declare that public hearing is not being held.

Sri Akkala Gandhi pointed out that 12 departments had already given permission / clearance for construction of the new project, then what is the need of conducting this public hearing today. Again the public raised slogans to postpone the public hearing. The Sub-Collector requested the public to maintain silence and express their concerns before the Collector one by one. Shri Jogi Ramesh, Ex-MLA, Pedana assembly constituency, on behalf of all party forum, informed the following : 1. They are not against the project but only demanded to postpone public hearing as Dr.NTTPS has

not fulfilled their earlier demands; 2. The income generated from the sale of fly ash shall be used for development in surrounding

villages such as establishment of Super Specialty Hospital, schools, greenbelt etc., 3. 100 % jobs shall be given to local people; and

4. Issues to be discussed with APGENCO management & Government of AP and get these demands

fulfilled.

The leaders of All Party Forum demanded that the public hearing shall be postponed till a concrete action plan is taken on requests made by them. The Sub-Collector has repeatedly requested to maintain silence to give opportunity to all the participants to speak and to hear them clearly. The public hearing is being conducted to know the concerns of the people.

Shri Avula Seetharamaiah , Mandal Congress President, Ibrahimpatnam has objected the expansion of the thermal power station by another 800 MW as the people surrounding the project are already facing adverse impacts due to the existing project. The public raised the slogans and requested the Managing Director, APGENCO to give firm assurance on their demands. Otherwise they would not allow to conduct the public hearing. At this stage, the Managing Director, APGENCO, appealed to the public that the APGENCO is a Government organization and it has to implement the welfare activities duly abiding the rules and regulations in force. Hence, it may not be possible to give assurances across the table. He has explained that the senior officials of APGENCO have conducted meetings to bring awareness among the people regarding the pollution control measures existing and proposed by the Dr. NTTPS. The APGENCO is ready to give replies on all the issues raised by the public and appealed to the people to maintain silence and to continue the public hearing. He has requested the Director (Projects), APGENCO to explain the salient features of the proposed project.

Shri C. Radha Krishna, Director (Projects), APGENCO initially explained the welfare schemes implemented under the existing units as follows: 1. Provision of 124 taps for supply of drinking water and supply of 4 Cusecs of water under rural

water supply for 40 villages;

2. Education for 327 students in DAV school located in the premises of Dr. NTTPS;

3. Organized medical and veterinary camps;

4. Maintenance of lined canal of Tummalapalem lift irrigation scheme and major drains in

Ibrahimpatnam village; 5. Accommodation provided for post office, bank , telephone exchange, ATMs, APSRTC reservation

counter, Raithu Bazaar etc., 6. School building for ZP High School for girls at Kondapalli village along with a land of 4 acres;

7. Plantation done in the surrounding villages with about 4000 saplings;

8. 180 No. jobs were provided for eligible land oustees; and

9. 9 bridges were constructed across the cooling water canal in surrounding villages.

Later he explained the salient feature of the proposed expansion unit as following: The expansion is based on highly efficient super critical technology and environment friendly process. The super critical power plants have 3 to 4 % higher efficiencies than conventional sub critical plants. It will consume less fuel and generates less ash. The total project cost is about Rs. 5286 Crores. Natural draft cooling tower will be used for cooling purpose. ESP with 99.89% efficiency will be provided. Low NOx burners will be provided to limit the NOx. Chimney height will be 275 metres. Coal consumption per day would be 12023 tonnes. Fly ash of 3648 tonnes and bottom ash of 912 tonnes will be generated per day. Environmental Management Plan (EMP) will be implemented with a capital cost of Rs. 282 crores and Rs.15 crores per annum as recurring cost. He further explained that, EIA studies have been completed as per Terms of Reference (TOR) prescribed by MoEF, GOI, New Delhi. A need based assessment was done through social impact assessment expert and identified various social infrastructures to be implemented in the affected areas. The CSR report includes several provisions towards creation of infrastructure for protected water supply, sanitation, education, empowerment of youth through training etc. A budget of Rs. 21 crores is provided to these activities.

Shri Jogi Ramesh, Ex-MLA, Pedana assembly constituency contended that the measures implemented under existing units are meager and requested to implement the demands at least now. He felt that providing 125 taps for a population of 1, 50,000 in Ibrahimpatnam Mandal are not sufficient. He has pointed out that the employment to local eligible candidates was created in the first Stage and subsequently it was not implemented even though the Honorable High Court directed. He further stressed that they are not against the project but demanded to construct a super specialty hospital as the people are affected due to pollution caused by fly ash etc., under Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activity. He has demanded to constitute a sub committee to look after the implementation of the demands raised by the public.

Shri Avula Seetharamaiah, Mandal Congress President, Ibrahimpatnam, stated that he is not against the proposed project. He informed that there are defects in the information given by APGENCO Director. He stressed that concrete action plan shall be prepared to meet the demands, as no fruitful measures were implemented so far. He demanded the postponement of public hearing until the demands are implemented. He again stated that Dr.NTTPS failed to prevent pollution.

Dr. G. Madhusudhana Rao, Prajavaidyasala, Kondapalli demanded the following:- 1. The remedial measures taken to reduce the environmental pollution are to be given in detail

2. Written commitment has to be given by the management of APGENCO in respect of the points /

problems noted by the AKILAPAKSHA SAMITY 3. If the new plant is constructed in the land which is given for development of the greenery for the

existing project of 1760MW, then what are the actions taken to reduce the pollution 4. Due to sever pollution people are suffering from Skin diseases and lungs problems etc. for which

they need super specialty hospital. 5. They require at least 200Beds Hospital.

6. Problems arising due to ASH POND are also to be resolved.

Sri Avula Sitaramaiah expressed the following:- 1. APGENCO is destroying the reserve forest and not distributing even single plant to the local

people. 2. APGENCO has failed in controlling the pollution generated by burning 40,000 Tonnes coal daily.

3. APGENCO is not facilitating fee concession in DAV school to the children of local village people on

par with the children of employees of APGENCO. 4. They are not against construction of the new 800MW project, but they want the solution /

promises to the above raised points and till that they want postponement of the public hearing to enable to motivate the people and to prepare them to accept / coordinate for construction of the new project, as an extension to the existing 1760MW project. The public demanded the Collector and District Magistrate, to declare that the public hearing is not being held. Sri Jogi Ramesh, Ex-MLA has demanded the following: 1. APGENCO has to provide purified drinking water facility to the affected village people.

2. Uninterrupted power supply has to be given to the local village people.

3. They are not against the construction of the new 800MW project, but they want the solution /

promises to the above raised points and till that they want postponement of the public hearing to enable to motivate the people and to prepare them to accept / coordinate for constructing the new project, as an extension to the existing 1760MW project. 4. Super specialty hospital has to be constructed in the local village.

5. Health camps are conducted at the time of announcement of public hearing only.

6. The facilities of drinking water, uninterrupted power supply, Health facilities have to be extended

to the people of the 12 Panchayat villages. And 100% preference is to be given to the people of the 12 Panchayat villages. 7. Green belt has to be developed in the 12 Panchayat villages.

8. Fly ash / Welfare fund is not being utilized for the affected village people.

Sri Appasani Sandeep, Director, A.P. Medical Services and Infrastructure Development Corporation, Incharge, Congress Party, Mylavaram constituency has informed as following: He has repeatedly requested to postpone the public hearing based on Grama sabha resolutions. He objected the speech of the Director. He criticized the APGENCO for not implementing the welfare programmes in the surrounding villages. It is unfortunate that the Director informed that the facilities created to the employees of APGENCO as the facilities created to all the people in the surrounding villages. Sri Cherukuri Venugopala Rao, Federation of Farmers Association requested to resolve the problems of the farmers affected by the existing thermal power plant. The Collector & District Magistrate has informed the public as following: 1. The Government recognized the importance of public participation in the development process.

Hence, conduct of public hearings before establishment of a project, new land acquisition act, implementation of CSR activities etc., have come up.

2. The work to be done by the district administration regarding implementation of the demands by

the public will be hastened.

3. A committee has to be constituted with the representatives of the gram panchayats, district

administration and officials of APGENCO to oversee the implementation of CSR activities.

4. He further stated that they can wait for few more hours to hear the views of public and requested

the people to express their fears/views/comments freely.

5. The demands made by the public and their representatives will be recorded and sent to the

Government for further examination and to take a decision.

The Collector, therefore, requested the public and representatives from each village to explain their concerns regarding the proposed expansion of thermal power plant (800MW). At this stage, some people came to the dais and shouted that the management of Dr. NTTPS has failed to take measures to protect the environment and to implement the welfare activities and requested to postpone the public hearing. They demanded that the Managing Director, APGENCO has to give firm assurance regarding implementation of CSR activities in the surrounding villages. In response to that the Managing Director, APGENCO informed that the demands made by the public were discussed with the District Collector, public representatives and agreed to give assurance in writing to fulfill the demands. He assured that the following demands will be fulfilled:

1. An amount of Rs 15 crores will be spent on welfare measures in the next 5 years as suggested by the

District Collector, in addition to the Rs 21 crores as per the CSR plan prepared based on need based study conducted in the nearby villages of Dr.NTTPS. A committee to oversee the implementation of CSR works will be constituted by the District Collector. The District Collector will be the Chairman of the committee with CE/O&M/Dr.NTTPS as the member convener. Other committee members will be nominated by the District Collector from the affected grama panchayats. 2. APGENCO’s permission will be communicated to the District Collector to handover the pattas to the

people living in APGENCO’s land in Shramik Nagar for the last 20 to 25 years. The District Collector will take necessary action to distribute the pattas as per the Government rules.

3. Uninterrupted power supply to the affected villages will be taken up with DISCOM and GOAP.

4. 50% jobs will be given to the eligible land losers as per the Government orders. Interested unqualified

persons from the affected villages will be sponsored by

APGENCO for undergoing industrial training under CSR. The trainees will be selected by the committee to be constituted by the District Collector.

5. Court cases regarding jobs to the 18 land losers will be examined as a special case.

6. Mobile hospital with a doctor and staff will be provided to visit the surrounding villages under CSR.

7. Regarding Super Speciality hospital, the District Collector may take up the issue with the Medical and

Health Department and if they come forward to establish and maintain the hospital APGENCO will extend reasonable financial support from CSR funds for creation of infrastructure.

8. CSR works will be implemented with the consent of the panchayats by the District Collector/District

Administration.

9. Additional public water taps will be provided in East Ibrahimpatnam by extending pipe line upto MRO

office.

10. An amount of Rs 5 lakhs per annum will be provided for putting fingerlings in Krishna River near

Dr.NTTPS.

The District Collector assured that the concerns expressed by the people and the assurances given by the Managing Director/APGENCO in the public hearing will be forwarded to the MOE&F, Government of India, New Delhi to take further action.

List of the public participated in the Public Hearing is appended.

Sd/- Sd/- Environmental Engineer, Collector and District Magistrate, AP Pollution Control Board, Krishna Dist Regional Office,Vijayawada.

The following officials were present: 1. Shri B.L.Chenna Kesava Rao, IAS, Additional Joint Collector, Krishna Dist.

2. Smt Hari Chandana Dasari, IAS, Sub-Collector, Vijayawada.

3. Shri K. Vijayanand, IAS, Managing Director, APGENCO.

4. Shri C. Radha Krishna, Director (Projects), APGENCO.

5. Smt M. Madhuri, Tahasildar, Ibrahimpatnam.

ACTION PLAN FOR FULFILLMENT OF ASSURANCES GIVEN IN THE PUBLIC HEARING HELD ON 10-01-2014

A.P. Pollution Control Board conducted the Public Hearing for Dr. NTTPS Stage – V (1x800 MW) on 10-01- 2014 at Playground, A Colony, Dr. NTTPS premises, Ibrahimpatnam, Krishna District. About 800 people attended the meeting. The public while expressing they are not against the project, repeatedly demanded to implement welfare measures such as construction of super specialty hospital, uninterrupted power supply, drinking water facilities, employment to the local people etc. They requested the postponement of the public hearing till the demands are met. They requested firm assurance/written commitment on their demands to allow the public hearing. The Managing Director/APGENCO discussed the demands made by public with District Collector and public representatives and agreed to give assurance in writing to fulfill the demands. After consultations with public, the Managing Director/APGENCO declared following assurances.

1. An amount of Rs 15 crores will be spent on welfare measures in the next 5 years as suggested by

the District Collector, in addition to Rs 21 crore as per the CSR plan prepared based on need based study conducted in the nearby villages of Dr. NTTPS. A committee to oversee the implementation of CSR works will be constituted by the District Collector. The District Collector will be the Chairman of the committee with CE/O&M/ Dr. NTTPS as the member convener. Other committee members will be nominated by the District Collector from the affected grama panchayats.

2. APGENCO’s permission will be communicated to the District Collector to handover the pattas to

the people living in APGENCO’s land in Shramik Nagar for the last 20 to 25 years. The District Collector will take necessary action to distribute the pattas as per the Government rules.

3. Uninterrupted power supply to the affected villages will be taken up with DISCOM and GOAP.

4. 50% jobs will be given to the eligible land losers as per the Government orders. Interested

unqualified persons from the affected villages will be sponsored by APGENCO for undergoing industrial training under CSR. The trainees will be selected by the committee to be constituted by the District Collector.

5. Court cases regarding jobs to the 18 land losers will be examined as a special case.

6. Mobile hospital with a doctor and staff will be provided to visit the surrounding villages under CSR.

7. Regarding Super Specialty hospital, the District Collector may take up the issue with the Medical

and Health Department and if they come forward to establish and maintain the hospital, APGENCO will extend reasonable financial support from CSR funds for creation of infrastructure.

8. CSR works will be implemented with the consent of the panchayats by the District

Collector/District Administration.

9. Additional public water taps will be provided in East Ibrahimpatnam by extending pipe line upto

MRO office.

10. An amount of Rs. 5 lakhs per annum will be provided for putting fingerlings in Krishna River near

Dr. NTTPS

With the above assurances the public pacified and allowed the public hearing smoothly. After public hearing, the written confirmation was submitted to District Collector vide letter dated 15-02-2014. The District Collector will constitute the committee which will identify the minor and major activities. Minor activities will be taken up immediately and major activities will be taken up along with the execution of the expansion unit after obtaining environmental clearances.

Need based assessment study has been carried out and following activities have been identified in consultation with the surrounding villagers at a cost of 25.38 crore.

1) Construction of 2 Nos. dispensary buildings in Jupudi and Kilesapuram villages and health camps in

the 16 villages at a cost of Rs. 92.6 Lakhs. 2) Drinking water facilities in 12 villages at a cost of Rs. 490 Lakhs.

3) Sanitation facilities such as construction of community toilets, individual toilets at a cost of Rs. 60

Lakhs. 4) Schools upgradation, drinking water and toilet facilities at a Rs. 150 Lakhs.

5) Construction of 19,275 m long CC roads in 13 villages, construction of 1500 m long BT roads,

construction of 2500 m long drains, barbed wire fencing along water supply canal, 549 Nos. solar street lights in 10 villages etc., at a cost of Rs. 1612 Lakhs. 6) Livelihood enhancement and youth empowerment: Training to 94 people identified in the 16

villages through industry department in the trades such as electrician, welder, fitters, draftsmen etc., at a cost of Rs. 26.32 Lakhs. Training fee and monthly stipend are covered in this. 7) Plantation in the vacant Govt. or private land in 9 villages at a cost of Rs. 37 Lakhs.

8) Assistance to vulnerable groups: Assistance to Anganvadi Groups, Slefhelp Groups, Woman

empowerment, SC & STs, Physically handicapped will be given in 16 villages at a cost of Rs. 74.27 Lakhs.

The points raised by the public/public representatives, response given by the project authorities and action plan for fulfillment of the assurances given to the public are furnished below.

S.No Points raised by public Response/Commitment by Action Plan to comply with the project proponent commitments 1. Shri D. Uma Maheswara Rao, The Managing Director of Ex-Deputy Mayor, Vijayawada APGENCO has given the The written confirmation (CPM Party) has demanded the following assurances on the was furnished to District following: demands raised by public Collector vide letter 1) The development programs dated 15-02-2014 as representatives / public: conducted by APGENCO for follows: the local people are not 1. An amount of Rs. 15

sufficient. 11. An amount of Rs 15 crores crores @ Rs. 3.00 Crore 2) Employment provided to the will be spent on welfare per year will be spent on local people is not upto the measures in the next 5 years welfare measures in the requirement as per the as suggested by the District next 5 years as statutory rules and Collector, in addition to the suggested by the District regulations. Rs 21 crores as per the CSR 3) Requested for providing Collector, in addition to plan prepared based on need the Rs. 21 crore as per 100% employment to the based study conducted in the the CSR plan prepared affected village people. nearby villages of 4) Super Specialty Hospital is to based on need based Dr.NTTPS. A committee to be provided. oversee the implementation study conducted in the 5) APGENCO has to take near by villages of Dr. of CSR works will be remedial measures to constituted by the District NTTPS. A committee to reduce/control the pollution Collector. The District oversee the generated by the present Collector will be the implementation of CSR 1760 MW units. Chairman of the committee works will be 6) He informed that the people with CE/O&M/ Dr.NTTPS constituted by the are not against the project but insisted to implement the as the member convener. District Collector. The demands. Other committee members District Collector will be 2. Shri Jogi Ramesh, Ex-MLA, will be nominated by the the Chairman of the Pedana Assembly Constituency District Collector from the committee with the on behalf of All Party Forum affected grama panchayats. CE/O&M/Dr. NTTPS as ’ expressed as follows. 12. APGENCO s permission the member convener. 1) They are not against the will be communicated to the Other committee project but demanded District Collector to members will be APGENCO to fulfil their earlier handover the pattas to the nominated by the demands. people living in District collector from 2) Development activities such as ’ the affected grama Superspeciality hospital, schools, APGENCO s land in greenbelt shall be taken up Shramik Nagar for the last panchayats. 20 to 25 years. The District using revenue generated through sale of fly ash. Collector will take necessary action to 3) 100% jobs shall be given to distribute the pattas as per 2. APGENCO’s permission local people. the Government rules. to provide land at 3. Sri Avula Seetharamaiah, Mandal 13. Uninterrupted power Congress President, Sharmik Nagar to the supply to the affected Ibrahimpatnam has objected the District Collector for the villages will be taken up expansion of thermal power allotment of pattas as with DISCOM and GOAP. station by another 800 MW as per G.O. Ms.No.571. 14. 50% jobs will be given to Page .10

the people surrounding the project are already facing the eligible land losers as per the Government orders. 3. Uninterrupted power adverse impacts due to the existing projects. Interested unqualified supply to the affected The public raised the slogans and persons from the affected villages will be taken up requested the Managing villages will be sponsored with DISCOM and GOAP. by APGENCO for Director/ APGENCO to give firm assurance on their demands undergoing industrial otherwise they would not allow training under CSR. The 4. Court cases regarding

to conduct the public hearing. trainees will be selected by jobs to the 18 land 4. Sri Jogi Ramesh, Ex-MLA , the committee to be losers will be examined Pedana Assembly Constituency constituted by the District as a special case. contended that the measures Collector. implemented under existing 15. Court cases regarding jobs units are meager and requested 5. Mobile medical facilities to implement the demands at to the 18 land losers will be examined as a special case. with a doctor and staff least now. will be provided to visit He felt that providing 125 taps 16. Mobile hospital with a the surrounding villages for a population of 1,50,000 in doctor and staff will be under CSR on regular Ibrahimpatnam Mandal are not provided to visit the basis. sufficient. surrounding villages under He has pointed out that the CSR. employment to local eligible 6. Regarding Super candidates was created in the 17. Regarding Super Specialty first stage and subsequently it hospital, the District Specialty Hospital, the was not implemented even Collector may take up the District Collector may though the Hon’ble High Court issue with the Medical and take up the issue with directed. Health Department and if the Medical and Health He further stressed that they are they come forward to Department and if they not against the project but establish and maintain the come forward to demanded to construct a Super hospital APGENCO will establish and maintain Speciality Hospital as the people extend reasonable financial the hospital, APGENCO are affected due to pollution support from CSR funds for will extend reasonable caused by the fly ash etc., under creation of infrastructure. CSR activity. financial support from He has demanded to constitute a the CSR funds for sub committee to look after the 18. CSR works will be creation of implementation of the demands implemented with the infrastructure. raised by the public. consent of the panchayats 5. Sri Avula Seetharamaiah, by the District Mandal Congress President, 7. CSR works will be Collector/District Ibrahimpatnam stated that he is Administration. implemented with the not against the proposed consent of the project. 19. Additional public water Panchayats by the He stressed that concrete taps will be provided in District Collector/ action plan shall be prepared to East Ibrahimpatnam by District Administration. meet the demands as no fruitful extending pipe line upto measures were implemented so MRO office. far. He demanded the 8. Additional public water postponement of the public 20. An amount of Rs. 5 lakhs hearing until the demands are per annum will be provided taps will be provided in implemented. for putting fingerlings in East Ibrahimpatnam by He again stated that the Dr. Krishna River near Dr. extending pipeline upto NTTPS failed to prevent NTTPS MRO office.

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pollution. The Director (Projects), 6. Dr. G. Madhusudana Rao, Praja APGENCO explained that highly 9. An amount of Rs. 5 lakhs Vaidyasala, Kondapalli efficient supercritical demanded the following: environment friendly technology per annum will be 1) The remedial measures taken will be implemented in this unit provided for putting

to reduce the environmental at a total cost of Rs. 5286 crores. fingerlings in Krishna pollution are to be given in Natural Draft Cooling Tower will River near Dr. NTTPS. detail. be used for cooling purpose. ESP 2) The written commitment has with 99.89% efficiency will be

to be given by the provided to limit the particulate Regarding 50% jobs to Management of APGENCO in matter. Low NOx burners will be the eligible land losers respect of the points / provided to limit NOx. as per the Government problems noted by the Environmental Management Plan orders, sponsoring to AKILAPAKASHA SAMITY. (EMP) will be with a capital cost the interested 3) If the new plant is of Rs. 282 crores and Rs. 15 unqualified persons constructed in the land which crores per annum as recurring from the affected is given for development of cost. the greenery for the existing villages to under go project of 1760 MW, then industrial training and what are the actions taken to constitution of reduce the pollution. committee for selection 4) Due to severe pollution of trainees, the Board

people are suffering from skin directed that this has to diseases and lungs problems be examined separately etc. for which they need Super in line with G.O. Ms. Specialty Hospital. Aabb No.68 and G.O. 5) They require at least 200 Ms.No.98 and brought beds hospital. to the Board. 6) Problems arising due to ash

pond are also to be resolved. 7. Sri Avula Seetharamaiah, Mandal The District Collector Congress President, Ibrahimpatnam expressed the will constitute the CSR following: committee with the 1) APGENCO is destroying the members drawn from

reserved forest not affected Gram distributing even single plant Panchayats. to the local people.

2) APGENCO has failed in The Committee will

controlling the pollution identify the minor and generated by burning 40000 major activities. Minor tonnes coal daily. activities will be taken 3) APGENCO is not facilitating up within a month. fee concession in DAV school Major activities will be to the children of local village people on par with the taken up along with the children of employees of execution of the APGENCO. expansion unit after 4) They are not against the obtaining environmental

construction of the new 800 clearances. MW project but they want the

solution/ promises to the above raised points and till

Page .12

that they wanted postponement of the public APGENCO’s permission hearing to enable to motivate was communicated to the people and to prepare District them to accept/coordinate for construction of the new Collector to provide project, as an extension to the land at Shramik Nagar existing 1760 MW project. for the allotment of 8. Sri Jogi Ramesh, Ex-MLA, Pedana pattas as per GO Ms. Assembly Constituency has No. 571. demanded the following. 1) APGENCO has to provide Unuinterrupted power

purified drinking water facility supply to the affected to the affected village people. villages will be taken up 2) Uninterrupted power supply with DISCOM and GOAP.

has to be given to the local village people. Regarding jobs to the 3) They are not against the eligible land losers as

construction of the new 800 per the Government MW project but they wanted orders, the APGENCO the solution/ promises to the Board decided to above raised points and till examine separately in that they wanted line with G.O. Ms. No. postponement of the public 68 and G.O. Ms.No.98 hearing to enable to motivate and decision will be the people and to prepare intimated separately. them to accept/ coordinate for constructing the new project, as an extension to the existing Provision of Rs. 64 Lakh 1760 MW project. per year was made in 4) Super Specialty Hospital has to

be constructed in the local the CSR plan for village. conducting health 5) Health camps are conducted camps once in 6 months

at the time of announcement in 18 villages. of public hearing only. 6) The facilities of drinking

water, uninterrupted power In regards to Super supply, health facilities have to Speciality Hospital, the be extended to the people of District Collector, the 12 panchayat villages. And Krishna District was 100% preference is to be given requested to take up the to the people of the 12 panchayat villages. issue with the Medical 7) Greenbelt has to be and Health Department

developed in the 12 Panchayat and if they come Villages. forward to establish and 8) Fly ash/welfare fund is not maintain the hospital,

being utilized for the affected APGENCO will extend village people. reasonable financial 9. Sri Appasani Sandeep, Director, support from the CSR AP Medical Servises and funds for creation of Infrastructure Development infrastructure Corporation, In charge, Congress

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Party, Mylavarm Constituency had repeatedly requested to postpone the public hearing based on gramasabha resolutions. He criticized the APGENCO for not implementing the welfare programs in the surrounding villages 10. Sri Cherukuri Venugopala Rao, Federation of Farmers Association requested to resolve the problems of the farmers affected by the existing thermal power plant.

Replies to the points mentioned in the representations received by APPCB – Clarifications/Action Plan to fulfill the demands

S. Name of the Points mentioned in the Clarification/Action Plan No Agency representation 1 M/sRythu Samaikhya, a) Validity of the “Certificate of Representation is received

Representation letter Acredation” of the consultant expired. through APPCB. Replies were dated 18-11-2013. b) Certain points were made about furnished vide letter dated

compliance of the environmental CE/C/GS/SE/C&I/EE/C/Env/ D. conditions of the existing units. No. 13/14, dated 08-01-2014. 2 M/s Federation of There is no specific issue in the --- Farmers Associations, representation. AP, letter dated 10- 12-2013 3 M/s Federation of The liquid effluents and stack emissions On the similar allegation a Farmers Associations, from Dr. NTTPS caused adverse impact on case was filed in the AP, letter dated 20- the human health and cattle. Rabi Crop Lokayukta, AP by Sri Ch. 02-2010 production is affected. Venkateswarlu, Vijayawada.

Impacts on health: The Member Secretary, APPCB in his report submitted to Hon’ble Lokayukta stated that the District Medical & Health Officer, Machilipatnam, Krishna District vide letter dated 19-02-2013 reported that on detailed verification of the records and cases they came to conclusion that there is no abnormal increase of cases related to air pollution. Impacts on crops: At the instance of APPCB, impact on crops has been carried out through M/s EPTRI. The studies did not indicate any adverse impact on crops.

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4 Appeal from Elaprolu Demanded to provide medical facilities, These demands were made in villagers. water facilities employment etc. the public hearing also. Written commitment was sent by APGENCO to District Collector to fulfill the demands. 5 Representation dated The representation sought to give type of Pollution control measures are 02-01-2014 from measures proposed to reduce air given in the EIA report. Sajja Srinivasa Rao, pollution. Munipalle, Ponnur Mandal, Guntur District. 6 M/s National Alliance EIA report does not even present the In the page 17 of EIA report of Peoples’ amount of CO2 emitted by the plant. specific CO2 emission from the Movements, M/s plant has been mentioned. Vinasakara Thermal Vidyut Vistarana Vyatireka Committee, M/s Andhra Pradesh Ryot Sanghala Samakhya Land requirement: Land requirement for Land required for the the proposed unit is given as 0.105 expansion unit is less as acres/MW against 0.265 acres /MW used existing common for the existing units. Land requirement infrastructure facilities such for the ash pond is shown as 0.2875 as Coal storage yard, Colony, against 0.91 acre/MW used for the offices, roads etc., will be existing units. The area requirement for utilized for the project. Till the proposed unit shown less compared to recently ash utilization was the land used for the existing units. More poor due to insufficient land will be taken in future. research work in India and abroad and there were no legal instruments such as MOE&F, GOI notifications, IS codes, CPWD guidelines, Govt. orders to utilize the fly ash. Ash utilization gained momentum since 2003. Ash utilization which was mere 1% in 2001 reached to 71% by 2013. As there was less ash utilization, higher ash pond area was required for existing units. At present ash utilization is 71% which will further increase with some limitations on ash extraction capacity of the systems, demand for PPC and bottom ash for which there are no takers presently. Keeping in view of these factors, 230 Acres of land is proposed for ash pond for new unit.

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Water Requirement: No data is given on Water balance diagram is actual water consumption to the existing given for existing plant and plant and new unit. proposed unit with all details of water consumption in page No. 75 of EIA report. Once through cooling system is adopted for Stages I, II & III units while closed cycle cooling system is adopted for Stage-IV unit. For Stage-V unit closed cycle cooling system is proposed. For once through cooling system more water is being drawn and same is being discharged back to river without consumption i.e without reduction of quantity. Greenbelt: Existing greenbelt area is given Total greenbelt area in the as 398.84 acres on page 63 and 289. Plant existing plant is 398.84 acres layout drawing on page 64 and greenbelt covered in plant area, layout drawing on page 288 give the colonies, ash pond etc which greenbelt area as 208.30 acres. Balance are spread in the wider and greenbelt area of 190.54 acres is not scattered. The greenbelt shown. covered in the main plant is 208.3 acres which is shown in the greenbelt layout map. Balance 190.54 acres covered in the colonies, along cooling water canal, ash pond area etc. Ash utilization: MOE&F notification dated Even though MOE&F, GOI 03-11-2009 makes it mandatory for all notification dated 03-11-2009 coal fired power plants to reach target of mandates 100% ash utilization 100% ash utilization by 2014. In the year within 4 years for the new 2012-13 utilization reached only 71% stations, the MOE&F, GOI did (page 283) Why is additional land required not notice the constraints and for ash pond when the notification limitations on account of ash mandates full utilization of ash? system constraints, seasonal variations of PPC demand, market demand, shut down period and other exigencies of cement plant, poor demand for bottom ash for which there are no takers presently. Keeping in view of these factors, 230 Acres of land is proposed for ash pond for new unit. Stack Emissions: All the new coal fired CREP recommended that all power plants given EC in the last few years new units should be designed have a SPM limit of 50 mg/m3 while the for 100 mg/Nm3. MOE&F, GOI proposed expansion is seeking a limit of limit 150 mg/Nm3. APPCB 100 mg/m3. limit is 115 mg/Nm3. In the DPR of the proposed unit, the

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ESP is designed for 50 mg/Nm3. Though ESP is designed for 50 mg/Nm3, 100 mg/Nm3 will be maintained in all variations of coal quality, deviation in process parameters etc. As per the existing statutes 50 mg/Nm3 is . not the limit. EIA report does not present the basis for Source strength is calculated taking 42.3 g/s as the dust load for the based on the designed out let stack gases. It appears the figure is dust concentration and flue arbitrary to show no impact. gas volume which arrives to 42.3 g/s. Nitrogen oxides (NOx): EIA report gives The supercretical 800 MW the NOx emission as 430 g/s on page 182. boilers implemented at There is no explanation about how this SDSTPS by APPDCL, a sister number is arrived at. concern of APGENCO limits NOx below 200 gm/GJ which works out to 510 mg/Nm3. The source strength of NOx is a result of NOx concentration (510 mg/Nm3) multiplied by flu gas volume of 847 Nm3/sec. Sulphur Dioxide: EIA report does not Coal consumption per annum state PLF for the given consumption figure for the proposed unit is 3.95 of 3.95 million tones. Incremental ground million tones based 90% PLF. level concentration of SO2 calculated However, SO2 source strength based on 1726 g/s is not representative of for predictions of GLCs is the actual situation. If true value is used it calculated based on 100% PLF may result in crossing the NAAQS value of on worst case scenario. Source 80 micro gram/m3. It appears that the strength is calculated as consultants manipulated the SO2 emission follows: quantity to show that the norms is not a) Coal consumption : exceeded. As per MOE&F, GOI notification (12023 TPD x 365 days) = 2006, for giving false information the 4388395 TPA proposal should be rejected. b) Sulphur content:

0.62% x 4388395 tonnes = 27208.049 tonnes c) SO2: 27208.049 x 2 =

54416.098 tonnes. d) SO2 concentration: (c

) /time = 54416.098 tonnes/(365 x 24 x 3600) =1726 g/s. In view of the above facts the serious allegation that the consultant manipulated the SO2 emission rate to show that it doesn’t exceed the limit has no basis and this allegation is made without verifying the data in the EIA

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report.

Dr. NTTPS did not provide explanation on As per the TOR mercury levels Impact of the mercury levels in the coal. in the ambient air quality have been monitored and found that mercury levels are below 0.015 micro gm/m3. Mercury levels in the ambient air quality have also been monitored through M/s EPTRI and found below below detection limit of 0.6 micro gm/m3. 7 Resolutions Six villages passed resolutions against the All Party Forum, public passed by six village expansion project. representatives of Panchayaths surrounding villages and people from all the villages discussed about resolutions, welfare measures required etc. In the public hearing meeting, the public demanded written commitment from APGENCO to fulfill the demands failing which the public hearing meeting will be stopped. MD/APGENCO agreed to submit the written assurance to District Collector to fulfill the demands. Then the public hearing was held smoothly. As agreed in the public hearing, a written assurance was submitted to District Collector. 8 M/s Conservation The agency complained that 30 days The public hearing notification Action Trust, dated notice was not given as per the EIA was published in The Hindu & 03-12-2013 notification 2006. local news paper Eenadu on 07-12-2013 intimating the public that the public hearing will be held on 10-01-2014. This is evident that sufficient time was given as per the EIA notification 2006.

The agency sought information on the 123 The information to the most points. of the points mentioned in the letter is available in the EIA report. Clarification on the remaining points is furnished as follows. Green belt around ash pond area. Stage-I abandoned ash pond area of about 230 acres has been covered with clay layer and is being used for VGTM

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truck parking, M/s Ramco Industries, brick manufacturing units etc. Jatropha plantation is being developed in 10 acres. One year data is required instead of one Initially EIA report has been season data for the EIA. finalized with one season data. One year data (3 seasons) data has been collected for the project. Additional CO2 and other GHGs from the CO2 emission from the proposed unit. proposed unit is 0.885 tonnes/MWh. Other GHG emissions are negligible. Mitigation measures for impacts of coal Dust extraction and dust dust emission suppression systems are provided to mitigate the impacts of fugitive emissions from the coal handling areas. Why is a cooling tower of 97800 m3/hr is 97800 m3/hr is the circulating being provided for the proposed unit water while the 2000 m3/hr is while the additional water requirement is makeup water for the losses. 2000 m3/hr. The ash ponds will have to be lined to Hydrogeological investigations prevent leaching. Are the existing ash through M/s NIH for the ponds are lined or unlined. proposed ash pond reveal that the impact of the ash ponds is marginal. However, lining is proposed for the new ash pond. The existing ash ponds are unlined.

9 20 representations Demanded to provide welfare measures These demands were from the villagers and such as medical facilities, water facilities, discussed in the public hearing public representatives. drainage, uninterrupted power supply, and written commitment was regularization of House pattas in the given to District Collector to Kondapalli Shramik Nagar etc. fulfill the demands.

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List of attendance of the public participated in the public hearing meeting held on 10-01-2014

Removed due to memory constraint

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