The Environmental Public Hearing of the Project of M/S. GSPC Pipavav Power Company Limited for Setting up of a 1050 MW Gas Based Power Plant at Village Kovaya, Ta
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MUNITES OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL PUBLIC HEARING OF M/S. GSPC PIPAVAV POWER COMPANY LTD., FOR SETTING UP OF A 1050 MW GAS BASED POWER PLANT AT VILLAGE KOVAYA, TA. RAJULA, DIST. AMRELI HELD ON 19-07-2007 AT 11.00 HRS. AT THE LUHAR CAST HALL, NEAR SWAMINARAYAN MANDIR, RAJULA, DIST. AMRELI, GUJARAT STATE. The environmental Public Hearing of the project of M/s. GSPC Pipavav Power Company Limited for setting up of a 1050 MW Gas based power plant at Village Kovaya, Ta. Rajula, Dist. Amreli, was held on 19-07-2007 at 11.00 hr. at the Luhar Caste Hall, near Swaminarayan Mandir, Rajula, Dist. Amreli. The Public Notice regarding the environmental public hearing was published in Gujarati in daily “Divya Bhaskar” dated 17-06-07 and in English in daily “Indian Express” dated 17-06-07. The entire public hearing proceeding was preside over by the District Magistrate Shri Sandeep Kumar assisted by GPCB officials Shri J.R. Mehta, E.E. from Head Office, Gandhinagar as representative of Member Secretary and Shri Y. A. Tai, Regional Officer, GPCB Regional Office, Bhavnagar. Shri G. H. Solanki, SDM, Rajula was also present. Shri J.R.Mehta in his welcome address gave the introduction to all the participants present during the public hearing. District Magistrate Shri Sandeep Kumar explained the purpose and process of Environmental Public Hearing and declared the Public Hearing open. Shri Y. A. Tai informed the representatives of the company to make the presentation about the project. The list of participants present during the said public hearing is attached herewith in original as Annexure-A. Presentation from the company : The General Manager (Project) of the company, Shri Sudhir Shah explained the policy and profile of the company saying that the company is committed for the protection of the environment and social welfare of the people residing in the surrounding villages. Thereafter, Shri Hitendra Kela from NEERI, a consultant to the company gave a power point presentation of the Environment related aspects of the project including salient features of EIA report. Following is the list of his presentation. - Base line data with respect to Water Environment, Air Environment, Land Environment, Socio-Economic Environment. - Impact likely to occur due to the project on air, water and land. - Mitigation measures and Environment Management Plan for the project. - Other details as outlined in the EIA report. After the presentation the District Magistrate Shri Sandeep Kumar, Amreli declared the forum open to the comments/questions and answer session. Following representations received in writing before the Public Hearing by the Head Office, GPCB were considered, which are enclosed herewith in original as Annexure-B-1 to B-3 (1) Representation in Gujarati received from Shri. Mithabhai Shadulbhai Lakhnotra, President of Taluka Panchayat, Rajula, Dist. Amreli, dated 04-07-07 (Annexure-B-1) (2) Representation in Gujarati received from Shri. Mahesh H. Parmar, Resident of Rajula, Dist. Amreli dated 17-06-07 (Annexure-B-2) (3) Representation in English received from Paryavaran Mitra, Ahmedabad dated 18-06-07 (Annexure-B-3) During the public hearing, following representations were received in writting. 1. Representation in Gujarati received from Shri. Lakhamanbhai Punjabhai, Shree Rampara – 2 Gram Panchayat, Ta: Rajula, Dist. Amreli, dated 19-07-07 (Annexure-B-4) 2. Representation in Gujarati received from Shri. Rambhai Bharvad, Sarpanch of Koli Kantharia Gramp Panchayat, Ta: Fafrabad, Dist. Amreli, dated 19-07-07 (Annexure-B-5) 3. Representation in Gujarati received from Shri. Mashru Ghanshyam B., Everest Sports & Education Trust Rajula Ta: Rajula, Dist. Amreli, dated 19-07-07 (Annexure-B-6) 4. Representation in Gujarati received from Shri. Vipul Laheri. Rajula Nature Club, Rajula, Ta: Rajula, Dist. Amreli, dated 19-07-07 (Annexure-B-7) The replies of the above-referred representations are also enclosed herewith in original as Annexure-C-1, to C-7. The statement of the issues raised and discussed during the public hearing and comments of the project proponent in English and local language – Gujarati is attached herewith as Annexure-D1 and D2 respectively. At the end of the Public Hearing, Shri Y. A. Tai, RO, GPCB, Bhavnagar red the summary of the public hearing proceeding / summarized minutes to the audience in local language – Gujarati. Date : 19-07-07 Place : Rajula, (Sandeep Kumar) Dist. Amreli District Magistrate Amreli Annexure – D1 The statement of issues raised and discussed during the public hearing and the comments of the project proponent in English. Following participants have made the representation during the public hearing. 1. Shri Chetanbhai Vyas, village:Bherai, Ta.Rajula, Dist.Amreli 2. Shri Yusufbhai Darban, village:Uchhaiya, Ta.Rajula, Dist.Amreli 3. Shri Jyantibhai Saparia, Rajula, Ta.Rajula, Dist.Amreli 4. Shri Laljibhai Bhadani, village:Bherai, Ta.Rajula, Dist.Amreli 5. Shri Rambhai Parmar, Sarpanch, village:Kolikantharia, Dist.Amreli 6. Shri Shivabhai Ahir, village:Bherai, Ta.Rajula, Dist.Amreli 7. Shri Maheshbhai Parmar, Rajula, Ta.Rajula, Dist.Amreli 8. Shri Vipul Lehri, Rajula, Ta.Rajula, Dist.Amreli 9. Shri Vijay Soni, Rajula, Ta.Rajula, Dist.Amreli 10. Shri Hanif Khokhar, Representative of Zee Gujarati News, Rajula. 11. Shri Ghanshyam Masharu, Rajula, Ta.Rajula, Dist.Amreli The above participants have raised following issues: 1. The impact on environment including agriculture, quality of surface and ground water ? 2. Source of water supply during construction phase and operation phase ? 3. How many numbers of locally affected people will be employed ? 4. What compensation will be paid to the land looser farmers ? How ? 5. What is the planning for the social and economical up-liftment of the people of the affected area ? 6. How many trees will be cut because of the proposed industry and how many and which types of trees shall be planted ? Whether there will be any involvement of local people / NGO ? 7. Shri Yusufbhai Darban resident of village Uchhaiya requested to furnish copy of the minutes as his village is very near to the site. 8. Shri Laljibhai urged to get the co-operation of the local affected people, while implementing any scheme of social work, so as to avoid any problem in future. He also suggested that the project proponent may take initiatives to co-ordinate with Employment Exchange Office and ITI for starting job oriented courses to help the local unemployed people. General manager Shri Sudhirbhai Shah of the company inform as under considering the issues raised above. 1. Natural gas is to be used as fuel hence there will be no possibility of air pollution. During the construction phase water will be obtained through the pipeline of Gujarat Water Infrastructure Ltd. and during the operation phase sea water will be utilized after desalination. Neither the ground water nor the surface water will be utilized for the operation of the plant. The treated effluent will be discharged into deep sea through pipeline using diffuser system. Thus there shall be no negative impact on air, water and marine ecology because of this project. 2. During the construction phase, water will be obtained from the pipeline of the Gujarat Water Infrastructure Ltd. During operation phase, sea water after desalination shall be utilized. 3. About 1000 persons shall get employment during construction phase and about 150 skill and unskilled people will get employment on completion of this project. 4. The amount of the compensation as per Land Acquisition Rules-1993 has been deposited with the office of the Dy.Collector, Rajula and consent agreement of the 43 farmers is also submitted to the court. 5. The Company has made budgetary provision for social welfare scheme and an Advisory Committee shall be formed in consultation with the representatives of the affected people of the village including local NGOs. Various social activities related to education and health etc. will be implemented in consultation with the Advisory Committee. 6. At present there are 40 to 50 trees within the site of the project. All the efforts will be made to save the existing trees as far as possible and about 50000 trees shall be planted to develop the green belt with the help of forest department and local people. 7. District Magistrate accepted the request made by Shri Yusufbhai Darban, resident of Uchhaiya village of providing the copy of the minutes as the village Uchhaiya is very near to the site. 8. Welcoming the suggestion of Shri Laljibhai Bhadani, Company Representative agreed to implement as far as possible. .