iN A big setback for Maharashtra State Power Generation Company Limited (MahaGenco), Union Minister for Road Transport and Shipping Nitin Gadkari has supported the demand of environmental activists of Nagpur on Monday, for shifting of proposed Koradi 2x660 MW coal based Super Critical Thermal Power Plant from Koradi.

The Union Minister wrote a letter to Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis requesting him to reconsider site for the the project proposed at Koradi, on Monday. In the letter, Gadkari said, “The existing units at Koradi (2,600 MW) are adding to the health problems of the local residents. The installation of the new two units with power generation capacity of 1,320 MW may create severe health hazards for the people.”

Mentioning the demand of NGO Vidarbha Connect, Gadkari said in the letter, “In support of the demand, the NGO has said that the power generation capacity of Koradi and Khaperkheda has reached the upper pitch and the proposed power station can be installed at Parseoni. This may help to generate employment in Parseoni tehsil, and find solution to the pollution problems at Koradi.” Local NGOs and people residing near Koradi are opposing the proposed project from the beginning. This is the second attempt by MahaGenco to set up new units of 1,320 MW by closing down only one 200 MW unit. In July 2019, when Government of Maharashtra announced new 1,320 MW project at Koradi, many NGOs of Nagpur opposed the project which was raised before the state government, Ministry of Environment Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) and Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB).