TATA too run into eco hurdle

The Tatas’ proposal to set up two 80 MW captive power plants in Jharkhand for their steel plant has run into an Environment and Forest Ministry hurdle.

The ministry has asked Tata Steels, formerly Tata Iron and Steel Company, to first get it cleared from the Coal Ministry and conduct a public hearing to elicit the locals’ view, which was mandatory under the EIA Notification 2006.

The Environment Ministry’s Expert Appraisal Committee felt the Coal Ministry’s approval was necessary as the proposed power plant is coal- based and is to be set up in a coal- bearing region.

Tata Steel has proposed that the project be set up in Ramgarh district in 30 acres of land, including 10.5 acres of forest land, to meet power needs of its steel plants.

The company has been also asked to furnish a detailed study on impact on marine ecology due to the discharge of treated waste water into the river and shift the proposed ash pond away from any surface water source, lest it contaminates the region.