Opinions divided on Ennore thermal plant expansion at public hearing

Public hearing on Ennore Thermal Power Station Expansion Project at Ernavur on Friday. | Photo credit: Jothi Ramalingam b

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

The project, which seeks to increase the capacity of coal-fired power plants, has received mixed reactions from local and political parties. Hundreds attended the public hearing at Perunthalaivar Kamarajar Maligai in Ernavur.

Many have supported the project saying that it will create jobs for the locals. However, opponents of the project expressed concern over potential environmental and health risks associated with the plant’s expansion. Chennai Collector Rashmi Siddharth Zagade, who was present at the hearing with TNPCB officials, gave presentations about the project to several people.

Jayapalayam, a fishing community leader in Ennore, said that nature and fishermen’s livelihood are closely related. He raised concerns about the impact on the livelihood of fishermen, particularly the release of fly ash by Tangedco in the Kosasthalyar and Ennore backwaters. He pointed out that not only the water but also the air was polluted in Ennore and called for more attention on solar and wind energy as alternative solutions.

The hearing was marked by disruptions and helchakra, with Thiruvottiyur MLA KP Shankar suggesting that only locals should be allowed to speak about the project. Satchidanandam, a resident of Nettukuppam, argued that blocking companies like ETPS would deprive the local youth of employment opportunities. Magesh of Thalangkuppam said that opposing all development will not solve the problems faced by Ennore and urged the community to unite and demand employment from Tangedco.

Ennore advocate Ravichandran highlighted the issue of youth unemployment and said that only after the first thermal plant was set up, many locals were able to get jobs and improve their social status. He challenged those opposed to the project to find viable alternatives.

Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam, Viduthlai Chiruthaigal Kachi and Bharatiya Janata Party representatives opposed the extension.

Kattukuppam fishing leader M. Karunakaran said Ennore’s industrial growth over the past 30 years has failed to create permanent employment and has affected the livelihoods of fishermen and farmers as well as the health of the locals.

Some argued that the project’s environmental impact assessment was invalid, as it was prepared based on the terms of reference finalized in January 2019, which were only valid for four years.

Prabhakaran Veerarasu of Puvhulagin Nanbargal said that rather than focusing on expansion projects in areas like Ennore which are burdened by industrial pollution, cumulative impact assessment should be done to assess the overall impact of pollution from all thermal plants and industries.

Seeman, the chief coordinator of Naam Tamilar Kachchi, questioned the need to expand the thermal plant and said, ‘If there is a way to generate electricity without polluting the environment or endangering the health of the nearby residents, why proceed with this expansion? Those who support the project for job creation knowing that it will poison the air, land and water and cause serious health problems… I challenge you to build a house near ETPS.”