Ibrahimpatnam seeks end to air pollution from thermal stn

Vijayawada: Residents of Ibrahimpatnam and Kondapalli are demanding Narla Tatarao Thermal Power Station (NTTPS) near Vijayawada to take measures to prevent release of ash into open air.At least six of the eight units at NTTPS are older than 25 years and were to be phased out by 2022, say sources. The Centre decided to run the plants till 2030 in view of increasing power demand in the country.“The decision of carrying out R&M/LE in coal based thermal units should be taken by power generating companies based on their techno-economic viability and environmental reasons,” advised the Centre.Activists are finding it difficult to make power management firms to decommission old plants. Now they are calling for containment of pollution.“We want the Union environment ministry to suspend licence of old units in NTTPS,” said Dr Venugopala Rao, an activist.V Satyanarayana, president, AP United RTI campaign, said they would file a public interest litigation (PIL) in high court as their representations to governor and district collector failed to yield results.Locals say it is difficult to travel on two-wheelers due to smog spread across Ibrahimpatnam and Kondapalli areas. Residents from about 15 villages in the vicinity of thermal power plant are complaining about various health issues including severe infections in chest and lungs.Former IAS officer and social activist EAS Sarma had recently requested chief minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy to take note of the situation in Ibrahimpatnam.He said APPCB should take measures to provide relief to people. He said NTTPS should take up mandatory plantation in about 70 acres of land in the vicinity of the plant.“Union ministry of environment and forests has set rules while allowing old plants to continue in 2015 and 2019. The Genco has failed in implementation of the rules,” said Sarma.
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