Tribunal rejects IL&FS' plea to allow work on Cuddalore plant

The National Green Tribunal has refused to stay its order suspending the environment clearance granted to IL&FS Tamil Nadu Power Company Ltd for its 3,600 MW thermal power plant in the state's Cuddalore district. The Tribunal rejected IL&FS' fresh plea for keeping its May 23 order for suspension of the environment clearance (EC) in abeyance and to allow it to carry out construction works for the project. The tribunal had suspended the May 31, 2010 EC on May 23, this year and had directed the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) to review its decision based on a cumulative impact assessment study and stipulate additional environmental conditions, if required. Infrastructure Leasing & Financial Services Ltd (IL&FS) had sought a stay on the Tribunal's May 23 order contending that preparatory civil works like construction of storm water drainage and levelling of the site must be completed before the onset of monsoon in mid September 2012. The tribunal rejected its plea saying a rapid cumulative impact assessment study can be completed before the onset of monsoon and "civil works referred to by IL&FS may not take very long to complete if planned and executed properly". "In view of the importance of cumulative impact study in decision making, in the case on hand and the logistic reasons with regard to completing the civil works, we see no reason to provide relief as sought in the application," a bench headed by Tribunal Acting Chairperson Justice A S Naidu said.