Opinions divided at public hearing on expansion of Ennore thermal power plant

A public hearing on the Ennoor Thermal Power Station expansion project is being held in Ernavur on Friday. |Photo credit: JOTHI RAMALINGAM B

The Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) on Friday held a public hearing to discuss the Ennoor Thermal Power Station (ETPS) expansion plan.

The plan, aimed at increasing the power generation capacity of coal-fired power plants, has drawn mixed reactions from locals and political parties. Hundreds of people attended the public hearing held at Perunthalaivar Kamarajar Maligai in Ernavur.

Many supported the project, citing the job opportunities it would create for locals. However, opponents of the plan have expressed concerns about potential environmental and health risks posed by the plant expansion. Some people submitted representations about the project to Chennai Collector Rashmi Siddharth Zagade, who attended the hearing along with TNPCB officials.

Jayapaliam, a leader of the fishermen community from Ennore, said nature is closely linked to the livelihood of fishermen. He highlighted concerns about the impact on the livelihood of fishermen, especially the release of fly ash by Tangedco into the Kosasthalaiyar and Ennore backwaters. He pointed out that not only water but also air was polluted in Ennore and called for greater focus on solar and wind energy as alternatives.

The hearing was filled with interruptions and questions, including when Thiruvottiyur MLA KP Shankar suggested that only locals be allowed to talk about the project. Sachidanandam, a resident of Nettukuppam, feels that blocking companies like ETPS will deprive local youth of employment opportunities. Magesh of Thalankuppam said opposing all development would not solve the problems faced by Ennore and urged the community to come together and seek employment opportunities from Tangedco.

Ravichandran, an advocate from Ennore, highlighted the issue of youth unemployment and added that only after the first thermal power plant was built, many locals were able to find jobs and improve their social status. He asked those opposed to the plan to come up with viable alternatives.

Representatives of Tamilaga Vettri Kazagam, Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi and the Bharatiya Janata Party opposed the expansion.

M. Karunakaran, a fishermen leader in Kattukuppam, said the industrial growth in Ennoor over the past 30 years has failed to create permanent employment opportunities while harming the livelihood of fishermen and farmers and the health of locals.

Some believe the scheme’s environmental impact assessment is invalid because it was prepared under terms of reference established in January 2019, which are only valid for four years.

Prabhakaran Veerarasu of Poovulagin Nanetagal said that in areas like Ennore, which are already burdened by industrial pollution, a cumulative impact assessment should be done to assess the overall impact of all thermal power plants and industrial pollution instead of focusing on expansion projects.

Seeman, Chief Coordinator of Naam Tamilar Katchi, questioned the need for expansion of thermal power plants, saying, “Why should such expansion be carried out when there are ways to generate electricity without polluting the environment or endangering the health of nearby residents? Those who want to People who support this project despite knowing it will pollute the air, land and water and cause serious health problems… I challenge you to build homes near ETPS and live there.