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EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE
NEW DELHI, November 25: In a public hearing of the proposed Pragati Combined Cycle Power Project today, Delhi Vidyut Board made a public commitment to comply with the emission norms which the department of environment had been stressing on. They have agreed to change the plant from naptha to natural gas, which will bring down the oxides of nitrogen (NOX) levels considerably.
On one side were representatives of citizens' groups, the environment department, NGOs like Centre for Science and Environment, WHO and on the other was DVB. Over two hours, various objections were raised not just by the citizens but also by the government officials of DDA, MCD and Environment Department on what the impact of a power plant in a sensitive area would be.
The fact that they have agreed to change the fuel of the plant is not enough for it to get clearance from the Department of Environment. The other condition which the department has laid down is the decommissioning of the Indraprastha power plant and a detailed report on hazard management of the proposed plant. The IP power plant, according to department officials still poses a big strain on the city's environment.
The main concern was that the plant will be situated behind the Indraprastha Power Plant -- very close to ITO and the Ring Road, some of the most polluted areas of the cities. There are also three hospitals in close vicinity of the plant. Though an Environmental Impact Assessment was done by the National Thermal Power Corporation, the Environment department wanted harmful gases like SOx (oxides of sulphur), NOx (oxides of nitrogen) and suspended particulate matter to be reduced further.
Copyright © 1999 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
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This story was printed from Net Express located at http://www.expressindia.com. Net Express provides a portal to India, with news from The Indian Express and The Financial Express along with sites on travel and tourism, the entertainment industry, the power sector, the environment and much more.
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