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An India Case Study On COMPREHENSIVE EIA
An India Case Study On COMPREHENSIVE EIA
COMPREHENSIVE EIA OF
THERMAL POWER PLANT
Produced for AED’s training program under the USAID SARI/Energy project, by the
School of Environmental Management and Sustainable Development (schEMS) in Nepal,
with support from IRG Systems South Asia
1. Description of Proposal
The rapid industrialization and urbanization process coupled with increased use of electric
power for irrigation in Karnataka state has created a situation, where demand for power
has surpassed the growth in power generation. So in order to build up a reliable, stable and
effective power generation system, the integrated operation of hydro and thermal power
stations is considered to be necessary, with thermal power supplying base load and hydro
power as an effective supplement. Based on this strategy, the government of Karnataka
has taken a step to build up adequate thermal power generation capacity.
Karnataka Power Corporation Limited (KPCL) has proposed to set up thermal power plant
with capacity of 1 x 500 MW in the first stage at the proposed Vijayanagar Thermal Power
Station located at 2.5 kms from Kudatini village, Bellary district.
KPCL generates most of the power required in Karnataka. KPCL is a premier public
sector specialized in power, with a total generation capacity of 3868 MW.
The proposed project covers an area of 1963.5 sq.km and includes Bellary and Chitradurga
districts of Karnataka and Anantapur district of Andhra Pradesh. Most parts of the project
area are located within Bellary, however the proposed project marginally touches three
other talukas and include 269 villages.
Based on these four steps, the Environment Management Plan (EMP) has been formulated
to implement the mitigation plan in order to minimize adverse impacts.
The scope of the EIA study includes a detailed characterization of the pre-project
environment within area of the proposed project as per the guideline of Ministry of
Environment and Forests, Govt. of India.
Under the scope of the study, the following areas have been selected to be analyzed from
Environmental Assessment point of view:
• assess the present status of air, noise, water, land, hydrogeology and socio-
economic components of the environment.
• identify and quantify significant impacts of the proposed project on the
environmental components.
• evaluate the proposed pollution control measures, to prepare an Environmental
Management Plan, and suggest adequate control technologies for mitigation of
impacts.
• delineate post constructional environmental quality monitoring program to be
pursued by the KPCL.
• Topography,
• Air Quality
• Water Environment,
• Noise Levels
• Land Environment
• Land-use
• Ecology
• Terrestrial Ecology
• Socio-economic Aspects
• Agriculture, employment and income
• Health
• Civic amenities
• Transmission lines
The study area covers 25-km radius around the project site. The following sections
describe the existing social and environmental setting within the project area.
Topography
The proposed project area is a flat terrain, located within Kudatini village of Bellary
District and surrounded hill ranges on South, North and West sides. The highest point of
Sandur hills is 3400 feet (1036 m) above the Sea level. The average elevation of the
project site is 475 m above mean sea level. Tungabhadra is the major river of Bellary
district, flows from southwest to the north east of the proposed project. Daroji tank is
another major water source of the area, located at 7.5 kms in of the proposed plant site.
Population Density
The maximum population density has been recorded at Hospet Taluk of 163.20 persons
per sq. km. At other places, the population density ranges from 119.71 to 154.04 persons
per square kilometer.
Sex Ratio
The male dominates the female population and for 1000 males the number of females
varies from 952 to 975.
Literacy
The maximum average literacy rate of 36.62% but it varies from 26 to 27%.
Infrastructure and other services facilities
There are 8 government hospitals, 18 private hospital, 42 nursing homes and 24 health
centers. Primary schools, secondary schools and colleges are many in the project area.
Transport facilities and communication services of provided by the States have served by
both road and rail transport. The road network consists of asphalted roads in urban area as
well as kutcha roads in rural area. Drinking water sources constitute wells; bore wells and
water supply schemes. Backwardness, low agricultural output, lack of industrialization and
irrigation facilities has worsened the economy of the project area.
Geology
The Granite and gneisses of Archean age occupy the low-lying area. Most parts of the
areas have been covered by red soil, thickness of which varies from 1 to 5m. Thick bed of
alluvium varying in the thickness from 2 to 25’ with pebbly bed ranging in thickness from
3 to 15’ are seen along the entire course.
Currently, the MoEF is the nodal agency at the central level responsible for planning,
promoting, and coordinating environmental programs and formulating environmental
policy. At the center, responsibilities for industrial pollution prevention and control are
primarily executed by the CPCB, a statutory authority attached to the MoEF. The CPCB
was constituted in September 1974 for implementing provisions of the Water Act and, in
1981, the Air Act. The State Department of Environment and Forests (SDEF) the state
pollution control board (SPCB) are the designated agencies to perform these functions at
the state level.
The rules under the Environment Protection Act provide for industry specific standards
(total of 79 industry sectors) and general standards of discharge of environmental
pollutants in Inland Surface water i.e. like lakes and rivers, Public Sewers, Land for
Irrigation and Coastal Areas. Minimum National Standards for thermal power plants have
been formulated for pollution control in India.
The Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India notified the Impact (EIA)
Notification, 1994 under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. As per the notification,
30 types of industries scheduled therein have to obtain the environmental clearance from
the Government of India. Any organization, which desires to undertake any new project or
the expansion or modernization of any existing industry or project, with investment of
more than Rs.5 crores, requires conducting an environmental impact assessment. These
projects require an environmental clearance from the central government. The clearance
granted shall be valid for a period of five years from commencement of the construction or
operation of the project. No construction work, preliminary or otherwise, relating to the
setting up of the project may be undertaken till the environmental and/or site clearance is
obtained.
The Water Act established the general standards for effluent discharge into receiving
water in order to prevent water pollution. The major responsibilities of SPCBs under the
Act include granting consent to establish and operate facilities, restricting areas of
operation, conducting surveys and determining the use and misuse of streams and wells
within its jurisdiction.
The Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981, as amended in 1987to 99
The general legislative conditions of this act are similar to the Water Act in terms of
obligations, responsibilities and penalties. The primary responsibility for controlling air
pollution resides with the SPCB. Under the Air Act the state governments are authorized
to designate any area or areas within the state as an air pollution control area, after
consulting with the SPCB and notifying the official gazette. Depending upon the quality of
air in the designated area(s), the SPCB may set air emission standards in the notified area.
The standards set by the SPCBs shall not be more lenient than the ambient air standards
set by the CPCB. For any industry to be established in the air pollution control area, the
‘consent to establish’ and ‘consent to operate’ must be given by the state.
This rule is to reduce the noise pollution from various sources, inter-alia, industrial
activities, public address systems, generator sets, construction activity, that may affects the
physical and psychological well being of the people. Ambient noise standards for different
areas have been specified in Annexure of these rules. The Central Government or its
designated authorities may categorize areas into industrial, commercial, residential or
silence zones for the purpose of implementation of noise standards for different areas. An
area up to 100 meters around hospitals, educational institutions and courts and sensitive
areas (i.e. forests) shall be declared as a silence zone for the purpose of these rules.
Other rules, which may be applicable from case to case, are as follows:
Ecology
The study area covers major Sandur State Forest. The proposed site is having an extensive
agricultural land with small patches of vegetative cover. However, the project activity will
not have much impact on the vegetative cover. There are no wild animals in the project
area and the clearing of the area will not create any loss of habitat to the animals and birds.
Development of green belt and forestation program in the affected area as suggested in
EIA report will improve the situation of forest and habitat.
Environmental Pollution
Water: There is only a marginal increase in the water pollution due to sanitary and
wastewater generated from plant operation. However treatment facilities will be developed
and the used water will be discharged only after proper treatment.
Air: There will be marked increase in dust and NOX level during construction phase of
project. Different measures have been prescribed to control such pollution. During the
operational phase, there will be some concentrations of SPM and SO2 due to the usage of
fossil fuel, which will be controlled by the use of Electrostatic Precipitator.
Land: The project implementation will not affect the land because the land procured will
be dry and un-irrigated and non-productive. However the private land will be compensated
and effect on clearing of the vegetation cover will be offset by the green belt development.
Noise: During the construction phase the increase in Noise level is 80- 85 dB (A) due to
the erection, construction and commissioning of equipments. During the operational phase
the increase in the sound levels is mainly due to boilers, compressors, and turbines etc.
However, with proper implementation of EMP, this effect can be mitigated.
Aesthetics: There will not be any change in the topographical characteristics of the area
due to the project.
Human Interest: The area is having little industrial growth due to non-availability of
power. Hence, with the setting up of Thermal Power Plant as a major industry, will
enhance the socio-economic condition of the project area.
Overall Impact Evaluation: The overall changes are mostly due to the improved
economic output, better land use due to the green belt and minor changes in the NOx
levels. By proper implementation of EMP most of the effects can be mitigated.
The Environmental Management Plan (EMP) is the document that ensures the
implementation of mitigation prescriptions for environmental protection and sustainable
development. EMP requires the involvement of project related stakeholders e.g. industry,
Government, regulating agencies and the affected population of the project area. The
salient features of EMP are as follows:
1. Management during construction phase.
Following are the briefs measures suggested by EMP for the proposed project:
• Frequent water sprinkling in the vicinity of the construction activity to control the
dust emission,
• Paving the exposed surface to control dust and erosion
• Plantation of bare and exposed area and development of green belts
• Adopt noise control devices, storing of fuels in safe place and dumping of debris
and waste in proper sanitary landfill site
The measures to be taken during the operational phase of the plant are as follows:
The Green Belt will act as a cushion between the stack emissions and the outside
environment. On-line monitoring of stack emissions for SPM, SO2 and NOx should be
carried out regularly to meet the statuary requirements. Green belt will be provided around
the project area and along the internal roads in the premises.
2. Cement industry
4. Area filling
5. Cellular concrete
routed that, apart from techno-economic feasibility and other aspects, it will
require minimum destruction of vegetation. The roadside plantation will
save the existing ecological scenario.
3. Active help from the locals will be solicited in preserving the greenbelt.
They will be educated and discouraged destroying the vegetation for fuel
purposes etc.
• Green-belt development program will be implemented.
Socio-economic Environment
Before taking up of the project, the local population will be apprised of the impending
changes. They will be educated and made to appreciate the implications of the setting of
the project.
The management will adopt nearby villages and undertake development activities to
improve the standards of their Living. Dispensaries, schools, transport facilities, roads,
streetlight, water supply etc., will be made available in these villages. Setting up of
ancillary units and self-employment schemes should be encouraged.
Air Environment
Online stack monitoring for estimating the concentrations of SPM, SO2, NOx and CO will
be carried out. Stack Kit with ORSAT apparatus will also be kept as an alternative.
Ambient air quality monitoring for variations in the ground level concentrations of SO2,
NOx, CO and SPM will be carried out.
Water environment
Effluents as well as the samples from the down stream Nallah and the connecting will be
collected monitored regularly. The sampling and analysis should be done as per IS: 2488.
6.0 Lessons Learned
Conclusion
MoEF and State government has cleared the project proposal and the project will be
implemented shortly.
7. Bibliography
Amit Jain
Managing Director