Public hearing on NSPCL’s expansion project held successfully

Rourkela: The district administration claimed to have successfully conducted the public hearing over environmental clearance for the 250 MW expansion project of NTPC-SAIL Power Company (NSPCL) while many people laid a condition that local workers and contractors should be engaged in construction work.

In the meeting held yesterday, the locals urged ADM Rourkela Rabindranath Mishra to ensure that their condition should be taken care of.

The ADM assured the people that the issues related to the expansion, which were discussed threadbare, would be well taken care of by the NSPCL authorities. The meeting was held at Udit Nagar Parade Ground here.

Niranjan Mallick, Regional Officer of Odisha State Pollution Control Board (OSPCB) was also present in the meeting attended by locals, environmental groups, local representatives, media representatives, lawyers, students and social activists.

The ADM took note of valued suggestions, views, comments and objections from various groups on the proposed expansion of 250 MW by NSPCL. Most of the speakers welcomed the capacity addition of 250 MW NSPCL in view the post-modernization power requirement of Rourkela Steel Plant as well as increasing power demands of the Steel City and its surroundings.

Speaking on behalf of NSPCL, J K Dalai, DGM (TS) informed the gathering that the Rs. 2000 crore expansion project, well within its existing land inside the RSP, would be a ‘Zero-Discharge’ plant thanks to use of modern and state-of-the-art technology.  Beside erection of another 220 metres chimney, the expansion entails construction of Rs. 400 crore Electro-static Precipitator (ESP) and 150 crore Dry Ash Extraction and Transportation Plant (DAETP) for efficient environmental and ash management.

NSPCL is a 50:50 joint venture between two Maharatnas- NTPC and SAIL, which owns and operates 120 MW captive Power Plant- II and supplies the bulk of power to Rourkela Steel Plant.

Nihar Ray, president, Rourkela district Congress, said that all parties supported the expansion project including its land acquisition. However, the Congress demanded that the industries should take steps to provide employment opportunities to local people in plant.

Among others, Yogendra Singh, GM and Business Unit Head, senior employees of NSPCL, district officials, police and media representatives were present.