NGT said the construction of the 1,320MW thermal plant can resume after TNPDCL gets the clearance
In 2025, nine people died when a scaffolding collapsed during the construction of Ennore special economic zone (SEZ) thermal plant
Chennai: The southern bench of National Green Tribunal (NGT) has restrained the Tamil Nadu Power Distribution Corporation Limited (TNPDCL) from proceeding with the construction of 1,320MW (2×660 MW) thermal plant at Ennore special economic zone (SEZ) for four weeks. A bench comprising judicial member Justice Pushpa Sathyanarayana and technical member Prashant Gargava passed the interim injunction as TNPDCL failed to obtain extension of the environmental clearance (EC) granted for the project which expired on Dec 31 last year.“It is open to TNPDCL to approach the appropriate authority seeking extension of the EC and upon obtaining the same, to continue with their construction activities,” the bench said.The tribunal passed the order on a plea moved by Selvaraj Duraiswamy, a resident of Thiruvallur alleging that the Coastal Regulation Zone clearance obtained by TNPDCL on Jan 1, 2014, has expired and as on date, there is no valid clearance. The continuation of the work without obtaining an extension of the clearance is in violation of law, he said.When the plea came up for hearing, TNPDCL produced an office memorandum dated Oct 30, 2025, which clarifies the calculation of the validity of the EC by excluding the time taken in proceedings before courts. TNPDCL said that according to the memorandum, Union environment ministry has clarified that the time period during which the project proponent was unable to implement the EC granted for the related project/activities shall be treated as a zero period for the purpose of calculating the validity of the EC.Recording the submission, the bench said, “Though the office memorandum was in advantage of the TNPDCL, it has not utilised the same by applying before the appropriate authority seeking extension of EC. However, it continued its operation of the construction activity of its thermal power plant.” Admittedly, even as on date, TNPDCL has not made any application before the appropriate authority seeking extension of the EC, the bench said.
