J-13012/62/2011 - IA. II
(T)
Government of India
Ministry of Environment & Forests
Paryavaran Bhavan, C.G.O. Complex,
Dated: July 26, 2011.
To
M/s GVK Power (Khadur
Sahib) Pvt. Ltd.
Paigah House, 156-159, Sardar Patel Road
Secunderabad , Andhra
Pradesh – 500 096.
Sub: Expansion by addition of 2x660 MW Coal Based Thermal Power
Plant near villages Goindwal
Sahib Hotian, Pindian, Biharipur and Verowal, in Khadur Sahib Taluk, in Tarn Taran Distt., in Punjab - reg. TOR.
Sir,
The undersigned is directed to refer to your letter dated 16.04.2011
on the above mentioned subject.
2. It
is to inform that the proposal was considered by the Expert Appraisal Committee
during its 26th Meeting held during June 6-7, 2011, for determination of the Terms of
Reference (TOR) for undertaking detailed EIA study in accordance with the
provisions of the EIA notification dated September
14, 2006.
3. Based
on the information provided by you with regard to the above mentioned project
proposal, the Committee has prescribed the following Terms of Reference (TORs)
for preparation of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Report and
Environment Management Plan (
i)
Vision document specifying
prospective long term plan of the site, if any, shall be formulated and
submitted.
ii)
Status of compliance to
the conditions stipulated for environmental and CRZ clearances of the previous
phase(s), as applicable, shall be submitted.
iii)
Executive summary of the project
indicating relevant details along with recent photographs of the approved site
shall be provided. Response to the issues raised
during public hearing and to the written representations (if any), along with a
time bound action plan and budgetary allocations to address the same, shall be
provided in a tabular form, against each action proposed.
iv)
Harnessing solar power within the
premises of the plant particularly at available roof tops and other available
areas shall be formulated and status of implementation shall be submitted to
the Ministry.
v)
The coordinates of the approved site including
location of ash pond shall be submitted along with topo
sheet (1:50,000 scale) and confirmed GPS readings of plant boundary and NRS
satellite map of the area, shall be submitted. Elevation of plant site and ash
pond with respect to HFL of water body/nallah/river
shall be specified, if the site is located in proximity to them.
vi)
Layout
plan indicating break-up of plant area, ash pond, area for green belt, infrastructure,
roads etc. shall be provided.
vii)
The
project proponent shall examine setting up of grinding unit and no additional
land for additional area for ash pond shall be acquired.
viii)
Land
for proposed 2x660 MW shall be restricted to 475 acres.
ix)
Land requirement for the project shall be optimized
and in any case not more than what has been specified by CEA from time to time.
Item wise break up of land requirement and revised layout (as modified by the
EAC) shall be provided.
x)
Present land use as per the revenue records (free
of all encumbrances of the proposed site, shall be furnished. Information on
land to be acquired) if any, for coal transportation system as well as for laying of pipeline including ROW shall be specifically
stated.
xi)
The issues relating to land acquisition and R&R
scheme with a time bound Action Plan should be formulated and clearly spelt out
in the EIA report.
xii)
Satellite
imagery or authenticated topo sheet indicating
drainage, cropping pattern, water bodies (wetland, river system, stream, nallahs, ponds etc.), location of nearest villages, creeks,
mangroves, rivers, reservoirs etc. in the study area shall be provided.
xiii)
Location of any National Park, Sanctuary,
Elephant/Tiger Reserve (existing as well as proposed), migratory routes /
wildlife corridor, if any, within 10 km of the project site shall be specified
and marked on the map duly authenticated by the Office of the Chief Wildlife
Warden of the area concerned.
xiv)
Topography of the study area supported by toposheet on 1:50,000 scale of Survey of India, alongwith a large scale map preferably of 1:25,000 scale and the specific information whether the site requires
any filling shall be provided. In that
case, details of filling, quantity of fill material required,
its source, transportation etc. shall be submitted.
xv)
A
detailed study on land use pattern in the study area shall be carried out
including identification of common property resources (such as grazing and
community land, water resources etc.) available and Action Plan for its
protection and management shall be formulated.
xvi)
A
mineralogical map of the proposed site (including soil type) and information
(if available) that the site is not located on economically feasible mineable
mineral deposit shall be submitted.
xvii)
Details
of 100% fly ash utilization plan as per latest fly ash Utilization Notification
of GOI along with firm agreements / MoU with
contracting parties including other usages etc. shall be submitted. The plan
shall also include disposal method / mechanism of bottom ash.
xviii)
Water requirement, calculated as per norms
stipulated by CEA from time to time, shall be submitted along with water
balance diagram. Details of water balance calculated shall take into account
reuse and re-circulation of effluents which shall be explicitly specified.
xix)
Water body/nallah (if
any) passing across the site should not be disturbed as far as possible. In
case any nallah / drain has
to be diverted, it shall be ensured that the diversion does not disturb the
natural drainage pattern of the area. Details of diversion required shall be
furnished which shall be duly approved by the concerned department.
xx)
It shall also be ensured that a minimum of 500 m
distance of plant boundary is kept from the HFL of river system / streams etc.
xxi)
Hydro-geological
study of the area shall be carried out through an institute/ organisation of repute to assess the impact on ground and
surface water regimes. Specific mitigation measures shall be spelt out and time
bound action plan for its implementation shall be submitted.
xxii)
Detailed Studies on the impacts of the ecology
including fisheries of the river/estuary/sea due to the proposed withdrawal of
water / discharge of treated wastewater into the river/creek/ sea etc shall be
carried out and submitted alongwith the EIA Report.
In case of requirement of marine impact assessment study, the location of
intake and outfall shall be clearly specified along with depth of water drawl
and discharge into open sea.
xxiii)
Source of water and its sustainability even in lean
season shall be provided along with details of ecological impacts arising out
of withdrawal of water and taking into account inter-state shares (if
any). Information on other competing
sources downstream of the proposed project. Commitment regarding availability
of requisite quantity of water from the Competent Authority shall be provided
along with letter / document stating firm allocation of water.
xxiv)
Detailed plan for carrying out rainwater harvesting
and its proposed utilisation in the plant shall be
furnished.
xxv)
Feasibility of zero discharge concept
shall be critically examined and its details submitted.
xxvi)
Optimization of COC along with other water
conservation measures in the project shall be specified.
xxvii)
Plan for recirculation of ash pond water and its
implementation shall be submitted.
xxviii)
Detailed
plan for conducting monitoring of water quality regularly with proper
maintenance of records shall be formulated. Detail of methodology and
identification of monitoring points (between the plant and drainage in the direction
of flow of surface / ground water) shall be submitted. It shall be ensured that
parameter to be monitored also include heavy metals.
xxix)
Socio-economic
study of the study area comprising of 10 km from the plant site shall be
carried out by a reputed institute / agency which shall consist of detail
assessment of the impact on livelihood of local communities.
xxx)
Action plan for identification of local employable
youth for training in skills, relevant to the project, for eventual employment
in the project itself shall be formulated and numbers specified during
construction & operation phases of the Project.
xxxi)
If the area has tribal population it shall be
ensured that the rights of tribals are well
protected. The project proponent shall accordingly identify tribal issues under
various provisions of the law of the land.
xxxii)
A
detailed CSR plan along with activities wise break up of financial commitment
shall be prepared. CSR component shall be identified considering need based
assessment study. Sustainable income generating measures which can help in upliftment of poor section of society, which is consistent
with the traditional skills of the people shall be
identified. Separate budget for community development activities and income
generating programmes shall be specified.
xxxiii)
While formulating CSR schemes it shall
be ensured that an in-built monitoring mechanism for the schemes identified are
in place and mechanism for conducting annual social audit from the nearest
government institute of repute in the region shall be prepared. The project
proponent shall also provide action plan for the status of implementation of
the scheme from time to time and dovetail the same with any Govt. scheme(s).
CSR details done in the past should be clearly spelt out in case of expansion
projects.
xxxiv)
R&R plan, as applicable, shall be
formulated wherein mechanism for protecting the rights and livelihood
of the people in the region who are likely to be impacted, is taken into
consideration. R&R plan shall be formulated after a detailed census of population
based on socio economic survey who were dependant on
land falling in the project, as well as, population who were dependant on land
not owned by them.
xxxv)
Assessment of occupational health as
endemic diseases of environmental origin shall be carried out and action plan
to mitigate the same shall be prepared.
xxxvi)
Occupational
health and safety measures for the workers including identification of work
related health hazards shall be formulated. The company shall engage full time
qualified doctors who are trained in occupational health. Health monitoring of
the workers shall be conducted at periodic intervals and health records
maintained. Awareness programme for workers due to
likely adverse impact on their health due to working in non-conducive
environment shall be carried out and precautionary measures like use of personal
equipments etc. shall be provided. Review of impact of various health measures
undertaken at intervals of two years shall be conducted with an excellent
follow up plan of action wherever required.
xxxvii)
One complete season site specific meteorological and
AAQ data (except monsoon season) as per MoEF Notification dated 16.11.2009
shall be collected and the dates of monitoring recorded. The parameters to be
covered for AAQ shall include SPM, RSPM (PM10, PM2.5), SO2, NOx, Hg and O3 (ground level). The
location of the monitoring stations should be so decided so as to take into
consideration the pre-dominant downwind direction, population zone, villages in
the vicinity and sensitive receptors including reserved forests. There should
be at least one monitoring station each in the upwind and in the pre - dominant
downwind direction at a location where maximum ground level concentration is
likely to occur.
xxxviii)
A list of
industries existing and proposed in the study area shall be furnished.
xxxix)
Cumulative impact of all sources of emissions
(including transportation) on the AAQ of the area shall be well assessed.
Details of the model used and the input data used for modelling
shall also be provided. The air quality contours should be plotted on a location
map showing the location of project site, habitation nearby, sensitive
receptors, if any. The wind roses should also be shown on the location map as
well.
xl)
Fuel analysis shall be provided. Details of auxillary fuel, if any, including its quantity, quality,
storage etc should also be furnished.
xli)
Quantity of fuel required, its source and
characteristics and documentary evidence to substantiate confirmed fuel linkage
shall be furnished.
xlii)
Details of transportation of fuel from the source
(including port handling) to the proposed plant and its impact on ambient AAQ
shall be suitably assessed and submitted. If transportation entails a long
distance it shall be ensured that rail transportation to the site shall be
first assessed. Wagon loading at source shall preferably be through
silo/conveyor belt.
xliii)
Details regarding infrastructure facilities such as
sanitation, fuel, restrooms, medical facilities, safety during construction
phase etc. to be provided to the labour force during
construction as well as to the casual workers including truck drivers during
operation phase should be adequately catered for and details furnished.
xliv)
EMP to mitigate the adverse impacts due to the
project along with item - wise cost of its implementation in a time bound
manner shall be specified.
xlv)
A Disaster Management Plan (DMP) along with risk
assessment study including fire and explosion issues due to storage and use of
fuel should be carried out. It should
take into account the maximum inventory of storage at site at any point of
time. The risk contours should be plotted on the plant layout map clearly
showing which of the proposed activities would be affected in case of an
accident taking place. Based on the same, proposed safeguard measures should be
provided. Measures to guard against fire
hazards should also be invariably provided.
xlvi)
The DMP so formulated shall include measures
against likely Tsunami/Cyclones/Storm Surges/Earthquakes etc, as applicable. It
shall be ensured that DMP consists of both on-site and off-site plan, complete with details of containing
likely disaster and shall specifically mention personnel identified for the
task. Smaller version of the plan shall be prepared both in English and local
languages.
xlvii)
Detailed
plan for raising green belt of native
species of appropriate width (50 to 100 m) and consisting of at least 3
tiers around plant boundary (except in areas not possible) with tree
density of 2000 to 2500 trees per ha with a good survival rate of about 80%
shall be submitted. Photographic evidence must be created and submitted
periodically including NRSA reports.
xlviii)
Over and above the green belt, as carbon sink, additional plantation shall be
carried out in identified blocks of degraded forests, in close consultation
with the District Forests Department. In pursuance to this the project
proponent shall formulate time bound action plans along with financial
allocation and shall submit status of implementation to the Ministry every six
months.
xlix)
Corporate
Environment Policy
a)
The company
to have a well laid down Environment
Policy approved by its Board of Directors.
b)
The
Environment Policy must prescribe for standard operating process / procedures
to bring into focus any infringement / deviation / violation of the
environmental or forest norms / conditions.
c)
The hierarchical
system or Administrative Order of the company to deal with the environmental
issues and for ensuring compliance with the environmental clearance conditions
must be furnished.
d)
To have
proper checks and balances the company should have a well laid out system of
reporting of non compliances / violations of environmental norms to the Board
of Directors of the company and / or shareholders or stakeholders at large.
All the above details
should be adequately brought out in the EIA report and in the presentation to
the Committee.
l)
Details
of litigation pending or otherwise with respect to project in any court,
tribunal etc. shall invariably be furnished.
4. Besides the above, the following
general points will be followed:
a.
All
documents to be properly referenced with index, page numbers and continuous
page numbering.
b.
Where
data is presented in the report especially in table, the period in which the
data was collected and the source should invariably be indicated.
c.
Where
the documents provided are in a language other than English, an English
translation should be provided.
d.
The
Questionnaire for environmental appraisal of thermal power projects as devised
earlier by the Ministry shall also be filled and submitted.
e.
The
consultants involved in the preparation of EIA/EMP report after accreditation
with Quality Council of India (QCI) / National Accreditation Board of Education
and Training (NABET) would need to include a certificate in this regard in the
EIA/ EMP reports prepared by them and data provided by other organization /
Laboratories including their status of approvals etc. In this regard circular
no. F.No. J-11013/77/2004-IA-II (I) dated 2nd
December, 2009 is posted on the Ministry’s website http://www.moef.nic.in may be referred.
In addition to the above, information on the following may
also be incorporated in the EIA report.
1. Is the project intended to have
CDM-intent?
(i) If not, then why?
(ii) If yes, then
a.
Has
PIN (Project Idea Note) {or PCN (Project Concept Note)} submitted to the ?NCA? (National CDM Authority) in the MoEF?
b.
If
not, then by when is that expected?
c.
Has
PDD (Project Design Document) been prepared?
d.
What
is the Carbon intensity? from your electricity generation projected
(i.e. CO2 Tons/MWH or Kg/KWH)
e.
Amount
of CO2 in Tons/year expected to be reduced from the baseline
data available on the CEA?s web-site (www.cea.nic.in)
2. Notwithstanding 1(i)
above, data on (d) & (e) above shall be worked out and reported.
5. The
Environmental clearance shall be applied only after firm fuel and water
linkages are obtained.
6. After
preparing the Draft EIA (as per the generic structure prescribed in
Appendix-III of the EIA Notification, 2006) covering the above mentioned
issues, the same shall be submitted to the SPCB for conducting the public
hearing as per procedure of EIA notification 2006. The issues emerged during
public hearing shall be further incorporated in the Draft EIA/EMP report. The
final EIA/EMP report along with public hearing report and the requisite
documents (including written objections, if any) shall be submitted to
the Ministry for appraisal by the Expert Appraisal Committee for consideration
of awarding environmental clearance under the provisions of Environmental
Impact Assessment notification dated September 14, 2006.
7. The TORs prescribed shall be valid
for a period of two years for submission of EIA/ EMP reports, after public
consultation.
Yours faithfully,
(Dr. P.L. Ahujarai)
Director
Copy to:
1.
The
Secretary, Department of Environment, Govt. of Punjab.
2.
The
Chairman, PPCB, Vatavaran Bhavan, Nabha Road, Patiala – 147
001
3. The Chief Conservator of
Forests, Ministry of
Environment & Forests, Regional Office (CZ), Sector -31A, Dakshin Marg, Chandigarh – 160
030.
4.
Guard
File.
(Dr. P.L. Ahujarai)
Director