Dahanu unit emissions within norms: REL

Reliance Energy Ltd (REL) has said that the emissions from its Dahanu Thermal Power Station (DTPS) are lower than the ambient air quality standards and that the plant is operating well within the norms specified by the regulatory authorities in India.

"The levels of low emission at DTPS does not create any problems of any type whatsoever either to the human life or to agricultural produce. The ambient air quality in Dahanu has been extremely good and the emission levels have been always lower than the ambient air quality standards laid down in the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS)," said a company spokesperson, responding to the Dahanu Taluka Environment Protection Authority (DTEPA) ordering REL to give a bank guarantee of Rs 300 crore in respect of setting up a Flue Gas Desulphurisation (FGD) plant at the DTPS.

The company has further said that the rapid environment impact assessment study of the DTPS recommended by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) led to the conclusion that the disadvantages of the installation of FGD plant outweigh the advantages that it offers.

"FGD is a process which converts air pollution into water pollution and can cause more harm than the benefits it can accrue. As on date no effluent norms for the FGD plant process have been specified by the statuary authorities. The impact and consequences of such plant and process on the marine life, the cultivable land, the orchards and crops has not been studied," the spokesperson said.

"A section of local population as well as all major political parties and social activists have expressed their opposition to the implementation of FGD at DTPS and whereas few others are insisting on the FGD", he claimed.

"The plant's achievements has been recognised by the Power Secretary and several delegations have been sent by professional power companies such as NTPC and MSEB to understand the salient points relating to the superiority of DTPS operation including environment " he added.

In May, 1999, REL (formerly BSES Ltd) was directed by the DTEPA to install a flue gas desulphurisation plant to neutralize sulphur oxide emissions.

The Dahanu Authority's order to install the FGD Plant was upheld by the High Court of Bombay and the Supreme Court of India.

"Despite court orders REL was delaying installing the FGD Plant on one pretext or another," said a press release issued by the Dahanu Taluka Environment Welfare Association.

The Association, further claimed that though REL had said that the bid process and issue of letter of intent for installation of the plant would be completed by February 2005, the letter of intent they placed on Ducon Technologies inc (USA) stated that, "Ducon is not permitted to start work on engineeringnstallation till REL issues a separate notice to proceed".

"The DTEPA is a quasi-judicial body set up by the Ministry of Environment and Forests pursuant to an order of the Supreme Court and it is empowered to give orders. If a party is aggrieved, they are free to approach the Supreme Court," said an official government spokesperson.