Gujarat recommends NPCIL's nuclear power plant for CRZ clearance

NPP at Mithivirdi will be set up 40 km from Bhavnagar and is located on sea coast on west side

The Gujarat Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCRZMA) has given nod for Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited's (NPCIL) proposed 6,000 Mw nuclear power plant in Mithivirdi, Bhavnagar. It has recommended the project for costal regulatory zone (CRZ) clearance to the Union ministry of environment and forests (MoEF).

The proposed nuclear power plant (NPP), with six light water reactors (LWR) of 1000 Mw capacity each, has been facing stiff opposition from locals on the grounds that it would cause irreparable damage to environment.

The NPP at Mithivirdi is being be set up 40 km from Bhavnagar and is located on sea coast on west side of the Gulf of Khambhat, and will be spread across 777 hectare.

The GCRZMA after hearing representation from NPCIL decided to "recommend to the Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India to grant CRZ clearance for construction of intake, outfall facilities, jetty and Desalination plant at Village: Mithivirdi, Dist: Bhavnagar by M/S Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited", at a recently held meeting.

According to NPCIL sources, the project has got necessary recommendations from the Gujarat government and now it was upto the central government to provide environment and CRZ clearances.  

The report of the public hearing on the nuclear power project has already been submitted to the MoEF by the Gujarat Pollution Control Board (GPCB), they added.