TANGEDCO applies for new Environmental Clearance for Udangudi project
ECONOMY & POLICY

TANGEDCO applies for new Environmental Clearance for Udangudi project

TANGEDCO has submitted a request for a renewed Environmental Clearance (EC) for the 2X660 MW Udangudi Supercritical Thermal Power Station, aiming to bypass the necessity of public hearings. As the current EC is set to expire on October 13, 2024, TANGEDCO has urged the Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change to issue fresh terms of reference. The on-going construction of the Udangudi thermal power plant has seen significant progress, with approximately 82.85% of the main plant work completed and 90% of the coal jetty component finalised. To ensure the timely commissioning of the Udangudi power plant, TANGEDCO has requested permission from the MoEF and CC to continue construction activities beyond the validity period while simultaneously processing a fresh EC with new terms of reference for the main plant. Furthermore, TANGEDCO has sought exemption from public hearings in accordance with a notification from the MoEF and CC dated March 18, 2021.

In its communication, TANGEDCO highlighted the renewal of the EC and CRZ clearance obtained for the interlinked project of Captive Coal Jetty and pipe conveyor system in August 2022, following the expiration of the ten-year period stipulated by the Environment Impact Assessment notification 2006. The EC renewal involved conducting Rapid Marine and Terrestrial EIA/EMP studies by an accredited consultant from June to November 2021. As the marine baseline data's validity extends for three years, TANGEDCO proposed the continued use of existing marine baseline data in the EIA/EMP study for the power project.

Initially conceptualised as a joint venture between TANGEDCO and BHEL, the Udangudi project later transitioned into a state sector project. Delays arose during the bidding process initiated in July 2013, leading to a legal challenge by one of the bidders, subsequently addressed by the Madras High Court. Ultimately, the Engineering, Procurement, and Construction Contract was awarded to BHEL in December 2017 following the court's ruling. ITD Cementation India Ltd was tasked with establishing a captive coal jetty and pipe conveyor system for the Udangudi project in February 2018, but execution faced setbacks due to cyclones and the Covid-19 pandemic.

TANGEDCO has submitted a request for a renewed Environmental Clearance (EC) for the 2X660 MW Udangudi Supercritical Thermal Power Station, aiming to bypass the necessity of public hearings. As the current EC is set to expire on October 13, 2024, TANGEDCO has urged the Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change to issue fresh terms of reference. The on-going construction of the Udangudi thermal power plant has seen significant progress, with approximately 82.85% of the main plant work completed and 90% of the coal jetty component finalised. To ensure the timely commissioning of the Udangudi power plant, TANGEDCO has requested permission from the MoEF and CC to continue construction activities beyond the validity period while simultaneously processing a fresh EC with new terms of reference for the main plant. Furthermore, TANGEDCO has sought exemption from public hearings in accordance with a notification from the MoEF and CC dated March 18, 2021. In its communication, TANGEDCO highlighted the renewal of the EC and CRZ clearance obtained for the interlinked project of Captive Coal Jetty and pipe conveyor system in August 2022, following the expiration of the ten-year period stipulated by the Environment Impact Assessment notification 2006. The EC renewal involved conducting Rapid Marine and Terrestrial EIA/EMP studies by an accredited consultant from June to November 2021. As the marine baseline data's validity extends for three years, TANGEDCO proposed the continued use of existing marine baseline data in the EIA/EMP study for the power project. Initially conceptualised as a joint venture between TANGEDCO and BHEL, the Udangudi project later transitioned into a state sector project. Delays arose during the bidding process initiated in July 2013, leading to a legal challenge by one of the bidders, subsequently addressed by the Madras High Court. Ultimately, the Engineering, Procurement, and Construction Contract was awarded to BHEL in December 2017 following the court's ruling. ITD Cementation India Ltd was tasked with establishing a captive coal jetty and pipe conveyor system for the Udangudi project in February 2018, but execution faced setbacks due to cyclones and the Covid-19 pandemic.

Next Story
Infrastructure Transport

MMRDA advances 250 m on Orange Gate–Marine Drive tunnel

The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has completed 250 m of underground tunnelling for the Orange Gate–Marine Drive Urban Road Tunnel using India’s largest slurry shield tunnel boring machine (TBM) deployed for an urban road project.The project involves twin tunnels extending over 7 km beneath critical transport corridors, including Central Railway, Western Railway and Metro Line 3. The work requires high-precision engineering to navigate densely developed urban infrastructure.Once completed, the tunnel is expected to reduce travel time between Orange Gate and Marin..

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

Hindustan Zinc Pays Rs 188.46 Billion in FY26

Hindustan Zinc contributed Rs 188.46 billion to the public exchequer in FY 2025-26, according to its 9th Tax Transparency Report. The contribution, equivalent to 46 per cent of the company’s revenue, included direct and indirect taxes, government royalties, dividends to the Government of India, withholding taxes and other statutory levies.The company’s five-year cumulative contribution to the exchequer stood at Rs 915.72 billion. In FY26, Hindustan Zinc reported revenue of Rs 408.44 billion, EBITDA of Rs 221.62 billion and profit after tax of Rs 138.32 billion. It also achieved its highest..

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

World of Concrete India 2026 Opens in Mumbai

Informa Markets in India will host the 12th edition of World of Concrete India 2026 from 3–5 June 2026 at the Bombay Exhibition Centre, Mumbai. The specialised B2B exhibition will bring together manufacturers, suppliers, contractors, developers, architects, consultants, infrastructure companies, project leaders and government stakeholders.The event is expected to feature over 350 brands and more than 18,000 trade professionals. It will cover concrete and cement, dry mortar, precast technologies, formwork, construction chemicals, industrial and commercial flooring, scaffolding, safety solutio..

Advertisement

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get daily newsletters around different themes from Construction world.

STAY CONNECTED

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement