Nivedita Khandekar New Delhi, November 23rd : .The Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change has modified one of two related laws to permit a gas-based power station at the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Draft notification sought to hear objections or suggestions regarding changes under the Island Protection Zone, (IZP), and Island Coastal Regulation Zone, (ICRZ).
The power plant will be able to run on either “dual fuel technology” (Liquified Natural Gas, High-Speed Diesel or High-Speed Diesel) or single fuel (LNG).It is expected to be situated on “about 2 acres of undulated barren ground with irregular topography and elevations of at least 2 m above the seashore.”
Project site located in Hope Town, Ferrargunj Tehsil of South Andaman.
In January 2011, the MoEF&CC issued a notification about Island Protection Zone (IPZ).This declared certain coastal stretches as Coastal Regulation Zones and imposed restrictions on establishment and expansion of operations and industries in those areas.
Similar restrictions were imposed by the March 2019 notification regarding Island Coastal Regulation Zones (ICRZ), particularly for areas like the Andaman & Nibar Islands.
According to Ministry records, the Centre was presented with a proposal by the Andaman and Nicobar Coastal Zone Management Authority to include a Gas-based power station within the ICRZ under the IPZ Notification 2011.
The National Coastal Zone Management Authority(NCZMA), in its August 16 meeting “felt there is a need for an enabling provision to the IPZ/ICRZ notification in order to satisfy the energy requirements of the islanders and reduce the dependence on polluting sources like conventional diesel generators (DG set)”.
Two things are highlighted in the two draft notifications.
According to the Ministry, the NCZMA had, following due consideration, recommended the inclusion of a Gas-based power station within ICRZ III between 200-500 meters and the removal of power plants within ICRZ areas for islands having geographical areas greater than 100 square metres.
The first notification suggested that an amendment be made to allow ‘Setting Up of Gas-based Power Plant’ in the CRZ III Area.
While the second notice seeks to add ‘Setting Up of Gas-based Power Plant in Islands with Geographical Areas > 100 kms’.
On November 18, the draft notification was made public and asked for objections or suggestions from members of society within 60 days.
Nivedita.k@ians.in can be reached by Nivedita Khandekar
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