NGT suspends green nod to Kaiga expansion

The National Green Tribunal has suspended the environmental clearances granted to Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) for expansion of Kaiga Unit 5 and 6 citing procedural lapses.

The Southern Bench of the NGT, comprising Justice K Ramkrishnan (Judicial Member) and Satyagopal Korlapati (Environment Member), in its order, said that the environmental clearance granted to NPCIL for the expansion project of Kaiga Unit 5 and 6 by enhancing from 235 MW to 700 MW by the ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change is suspended. The clearance was granted in August 2019.

“Till the NPCIL gets its fresh environmental clearances, the project proponent is directed not to commence the commissioning of the project,” the order said.