Sugar company Mula SSK Ltd has got green nod for expansion of its sugar, distillery and cogeneration units in Ahmednagar, entailing an investment of Rs 283.57 crore.
"Based on the recommendation of the Expert Appraisal Committee, the Environment Ministry has given clearance to the expansion project of Mula SSK Ltd subject to certain conditions," a senior government official said.
The proposal is for expansion of sugar unit from 3,500 tonnes crushed per day (TCD) to 5,500 TCD, molasses-based distillery from 30 kilo litres per day (KLPD) to 45 KLPD and cogeneration power plant from 14 MW to 30 MW at Newassa in a plot area of 280 acres.
The cost of the project is Rs 283.57 crore.
Among conditions specified, the official said the environment clearance to the company has been given only for molasses-based distillery unit and no grain-based distillery unit should be operated without prior permission from it.
The company has been asked to provide electrostatic precipitator along with stack of adequate height to bagasse/biogas fired boiler to control particulate emissions.
The company has also been asked to develop green belt over 110 acres of land within the plant premises and at least 5 per cent of the total cost of the project should be earmarked towards the enterprise social commitment.
The government is giving big push for ethanol blending with petrol and approving the expansion projects of distilleries on a priority basis.
