Summary Environmental Impact Assessment Project Number: 39916 March 2006

India: Sipat Super Thermal Power Project (Stage I and II) and Kahalgaon Super Thermal Power Project (Stage II)

The summary environmental impact assessment is a document of the borrower. The views expressed herein do not necessarily represent those of ADB’s Board of Directors, Management, or staff, and may be preliminary in nature.

Environmental Assessment Report

Prepared by NTPC Limited for the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

ABBREVIATIONS

ADB – Asian Development Bank CEA – Central Electricity Authority CHP – coal-handling plant CERC – Central Electricity Regulatory Commission CMB – central monitoring basin CPCB – Central Pollution Control Board EIA – environmental impact assessment EMP – environmental management plan EMG – environmental management group ESP – electrostatic precipitator FGD – flue gas desulfurization GLC – ground level concentration IEE – initial environmental examination LILO – loop-in loop-out MGR – merry-go-round MOEF – Ministry of Environment and Forests NGO – non-government organization NOx – nitrogen oxides RBC – right bank canal ROW – right-of-way SEIA – summary environmental impact assessment SO2 – sulfur dioxide SPCB – State Pollution Control Board SPM – suspended particulate matter STPP – super thermal power project TG – turbine generator TSP – total suspended particulates VDAC – village development advisory committee

WEIGHTS AND MEASURES

C – degrees Celsius dB(A) – decibel average GWh – gigawatt hour ha – hectare Kcal/kg – kilo-calories per kilogram km – kilometer kV – kilo-volts kWh – kilowatt hour m – meter µg/m3 – micrograms per cubic meter mg/Nm3 – milligrams per normal cubic meter MCM – million cubic meters MW – megawatt t – metric ton

CURRENCY (as of March 2006)

Currency Unit – Indian rupee (Rs)

Rs1.00 = $0.02252 $1.00 = Rs44.4

In this report, “$” refers to US dollars.

CONTENTS Page

MAPS I. INTRODUCTION 1 II. SIPAT SUPER THERMAL POWER PROJECT 2 A. Description of the Project 2 B. Description of the Environment 4 C. Alternatives 7 D. Anticipated Environmental Impacts and Mitigation Measures 9 E. Economic Assessment 14 F. Environmental Management Plan 14 G. Public Consultation and Disclosure 17 H. Due Diligence Review of Associated Facilities 18 III. KAHALGAON SUPER THERMAL POWER PROJECT, STAGE II 19 A. Description of the Project 19 B. Description of the Environment 21 C. Alternatives 24 D. Anticipated Environmental Impacts and Mitigation Measures 25 E. Economic Assessment 29 F. Environmental Management Plan 30 G. Public Consultation and Disclosure 34 H. Due Diligence Review of Associated Facilities 34 IV. CONCLUSIONS 35 APPENDIXES 1. National Water Quality Standards 372. National Ambient Air Quality Standards 383. Cost of Main Environmental Impact Mitigation Measures 394. List of Representatives, Sipat Stage II Public Hearing 405. Attendees and Panel Members, Kahalgaon Stage II Public Hearing 41

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I. INTRODUCTION 1. Demand for electricity in India currently outstrips supply. Inadequate generation, transmission, and distribution, as well as the inefficient use of electricity, lead to shortages, particularly at peak times. The total national shortfall is estimated to be 8.3% of demand.1 Based on the 2001 census, about 44% of households do not have access to electricity. Recognizing that electricity is one of the key drivers of rapid economic growth and poverty reduction, the Government of India aims to meet electricity demand in full by 2012.2 Other objectives include providing all households with access to electricity within 5 years and increasing the per capita availability of electricity to over 1,000 kilowatt hours by 2012. 2. The substantial demand for electricity will be met mainly by the installation of new coal- and gas-fired thermal power stations and by hydropower. Particular emphasis is being placed on hydropower, but, even with the full development of all the feasible hydropower projects, coal remains the primary fuel for meeting existing and future electricity demand (footnote 2). 3. NTPC Limited (formerly National Thermal Power Corporation Limited) is currently implementing the Sipat Super Thermal Power Project (STPP) (stages I and II) and extending the Kahalgaon STPP into stage II. Power generation is scheduled to begin at the Sipat STPP stage II in June 2007 and at the Kahalgaon STPP stage II in November 2006. They will contribute an additional 4,480 MW of installed capacity to the Indian grid, making a substantial contribution to meeting the current shortfall of supply and to meeting the electricity supply targets set out in the Tenth Five Year Plan (2002–2007)3. 4. Environmental impact assessments (EIAs) were prepared for both projects, as required by government planning requirements, covering the construction and operation phases of each development. The Sipat STPP comprehensive EIA (March 1998) was initially prepared for a 3,000 MW project consisting of stage I (4 x 500 MW units) and II (2 x 500 MW units). The Project was subsequently revised to the current design of 2,980 MW, consisting of stage I (3 x 660 MW units) and II (2 x 500 MW units). Project environmental clearance was granted for stage I by the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MOEF) based on the original EIA assessment of 4 x 500 MW units given that the magnitude of each main impact was deemed to be similar for both plant configurations. The EIA addendum (May 2003) subsequently addressed the revised 1,000 MW stage II (2 x 500 MW), while also assessing the total cumulative impact of the entire 2,980 MW plant for most issues. 5. The Kahalgaon stage II EIA (2000) was initially prepared for a 1,320 MW project consisting of 2 x 660 MW units. The stage II project design was subsequently revised to 1,500 MW consisting of phase I (2 x 500 MW units) and phase II (1 x 500 MW units). Environmental clearance was granted by MOEF for the revised stage II phase I of the Project in 2001, based on the original EIA. Another EIA was then prepared for stage II phase II (1 x 500 MW units) in 2003, for which environmental clearance was granted on 20 May 2004.

1 Ministry of Power, 2006. Available at http://powermin.nic.in 2 Ministry of Power, 2005. National Electricity Policy. The Gazette of India. Extraordinary Part 1 Section 1

- 12 February 2005. New Delhi. 3 Planning Commission, 2002. Tenth Five Year Plan (2002–2007). Government of India. New Delhi.

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6. All necessary national and state government approvals have been obtained. Sipat STPP approvals include MOEF environmental clearance for stage I granted on 13 January 1998 and stage II granted 8 June 2004, and a no objection certificate granted by the Chhattisgarh State Pollution Control Board (SPCB) on 6 January 2004. The Kahalgaon stage II approvals include environmental clearance granted by MOEF for stage II phase I on 13 June 2003 and stage II phase II on 29 May 2004. No objection certificates were granted by the Bihar SPCB for stage II phase I (for 2 x 660 MW units, as originally planned) on 3 July 2000 and stage II phase II on 11 October 2003. The environmental assessment of associated transmission lines has been undertaken separately by Power Grid Corporation of India. As they do not cross environmentally sensitive areas, construction of these transmission lines does not require preparation of an EIA under Indian law. 7. This summary EIA (SEIA) has been prepared by NTPC. It will be posted on ADB’s website 120 days before consideration of the requested loan by ADB’s Board of Directors. The proposed developments are classified as ADB environmental category A primarily because of the significant and dispersed impact on air quality that will result from power generation by both STPPs. Both plants also occupy large land areas and have significant water requirements. The description of the projects in this SEIA is presented in two parts to simplify the description of each development. Part II addresses Sipat stages I and II and part III addresses Kahalgaon stage II phases 1 and II.

II. SIPAT SUPER THERMAL POWER PROJECT (STPP) 8. The description of the Sipat STPP in this SEIA is primarily based on the information contained in the EIA addendum (2003). The comprehensive EIA (1998) was used as an additional source of information to describe the existing environment and the proposed environmental management measures. Additional documentation provided by NTPC updated those documents. A. Description of the Project 9. The Sipat STPP consists of two stages that are being constructed concurrently: stage I—1,980 MW (3 x 660 MW units), and stage II—1,000 MW (2 x 500 MW units). The total annual electricity generation from the STPP will be 20,883 GWh, with generated electricity supplying the western region of India4 via Seoni. The Project, illustrated in Map 1, features the following:

(i) 3 x 660 MW supercritical and 2 x 500 MW subcritical steam generators; (ii) high-efficiency electrostatic precipitators (ESPs); (iii) 2 x 275 m high twin flue emission stacks, 1 x 275 m high single-flue stack; (iv) 765 kV, 400 kV and 132 kV switchyards; (v) a merry-go-round rail transport system; (vi) a pump house and 2 x 29 km water supply pipelines;

4 Although India does not have a single unified national power grid, regional electricity grids have been

established for planning, cooperation, and grid stability under the management of regional electricity boards. The western region grid covers the states of Maharashtra and Goa, Gujarat, Chhattisgarh, and Madhya Pradesh and the union territories of Daman and Diu, and Dadra, and Nagar Haveli.

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(vii) a circulating water system with induced draft cooling towers; (viii) an ash water recirculation system, effluent treatment plant and central

monitoring basin; (ix) 3 x raw water reservoirs; (x) 3 x ash dykes; and (xi) a township.

10. The Project site is located near Sipat village, Bilaspur District, Chhattisgarh (previously part of the state Madhya Pradesh). The site is situated about 15 km northeast of Bilaspur city and is reached via the Bilaspur–Baloda state highway, which passes through Sipat. The site covers 1,773 ha (4,382 acres) and consists of the main plant and switchyard (621 ha), ash dykes (632 ha), reservoirs and a township (256 ha), and a merry-go-round5 (MGR) coal transport system (243 ha). 11. Coal to fuel the plant will be mined from the Dipika (extension) mine block of Korba coalfield, about 40 km northeast of the plant site. The coal has a low gross calorific value of 3,300 Kcal/kg, a high ash content of 36-45%, and a low sulfur content of about 0.36%. It will be transported to the plant by captive MGR rakes, to be unloaded while the rakes are in motion. Coal will either go directly to the plant via the pulverizing mills or be stored in the coal-handling yard before use. The total coal consumption of the plant will be 2,122 t/hr (18.59 million t/annum). 12. The stage I steam generators are 660 MW supercritical water tube, direct pulverized coalfired, balanced draft furnace, single reheat, radiant, dry bottom type. This is the first supercritical plant to be installed in India. The stage II generators are the 500 MW subcritical type, which are more common units. 13. Water for the Project will be pumped from the right bank canal that is fed by the Hasdeo barrage located about 65 km from the site. Water will be conveyed to the raw water reservoirs from the canal via two 29 km long subsurface pipelines. The maximum water requirement for the ultimate stage of the plant is estimated to be 13,400 m3/hour (3.72 m3/sec) with once-through ash water recirculation operating for stage I. 14. Around 6.4 million tons of ash will be produced annually. High efficiency electrostatic precipitators will trap fly ash in a dry form. The ash will be taken in buffer hoppers for onward transportation in dry form or made into slurry in wetting units for pumping to ash ponds for disposal. Bottom ash will be extracted and disposed of in wet form. A recirculating type cooling water system with two induced draft cooling towers with splash type fill will be installed in each unit. The ash water recirculation system will return decanted water from the ash ponds back to the ash handling system for reuse. Different forms of liquid effluent from the plant will be collected and recycled, or treated in the central monitoring basin and discharged from the site. Treated effluent discharge will total 1,265 m3/hour of industrial waste through the central monitoring basin (CMB) and 529 m3/hour of sewage. 15. Power from the plant will be evacuated via two new 765 kV high voltage transmission lines being installed by Power Grid Corporation of India. These 343 km and 344 km lines will run to a substation at Seoni. Associated high voltage lines also

5 A merry-go-round coal transport system is a closed track rail system running from the mine area to the

power plant.

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being developed to transmit plant power include the Seoni–Khandawa 400 kV line (343 km) and the Nagda–Dehgam 400 kV line (333 km). 16. Construction of Sipat stages I and II began in late 2003 and substantial work has been completed. Stage II (2 x 500 MW units) will be completed before stage I, with the first unit scheduled to be commissioned in June 2007 and the second in December 2007. Commissioning of stage I (3 x 660 MW units) will occur over 20 months, with the first unit scheduled to come online in April 2008, the second in February 2009 and the third in December 2009. The total cost of the Sipat STPP (stages I and II) is estimated to be Rs123.63 billion ($2.78 billion). The main site works undertaken as of November 2005 were as follows. (i) Stage I

(a) Unit I boiler erection begun March 2005 and pressure parts erection underway;

(b) unit II boiler erection begun June 2005 and structural erection of tiers 2 and 3 underway;

(c) turbine generator (TG) unit I column concreting in progress; TG raft unit II completed; crane erection completed;

(d) civil works for steam turbine/TG Unit III, ESP unit II and III, cooling tower and CHP packages in progress;

(e) chimney shell concreting completed; (f) both raw water reservoirs close to completion; and (g) ash pond under construction.

(ii) Stage II

(a) Unit IV boiler erection begun in October 2004 and drum lifting completed in April 2005;

(b) unit V boiler erection begun in March 2005 and drum lifting completed in October 2005;

(c) TG Unit IV, crane and turbine erection begun September 2005; Unit V concreting works in progress;

(d) chimney shell concreting up to about 246 m; (e) raw water reservoir about 70% complete; (f) cooling tower, cooling water system and water pre-treatment plant

civil works in progress; and (g) 400/132 kV switchyard civil works under construction.

(iii) Ancillary works

(a) Make-up water supply pipeline and pump house under construction;

(b) coal rail transport merry-go-round under construction; (c) township construction advanced; and (d) green belt planting begun.

B. Description of the Environment

1. Physical Resources 17. The topography at the main plant site before the earthworks was flat to undulating. The site mainly drains to the south and east into the Lilagrah River, part of

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the Mahanadi River catchment area. The surrounding area up to 15 km from the site drains into the Lilagrah, Kharung and Arpa Rivers before flowing into the Mahanadi River. The Lilagrah and Kharung Rivers have minor flows during summer, while the Arpa River and most smaller streams dry up during this period. Water use by volume in local rivers and canals is mainly for irrigation, with extraction for domestic purposes being a secondary use. Although water in the three local rivers has excellent physicochemical quality, levels of suspended solids and coliform are high. This water is fit for drinking following conventional treatment in accordance with the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) standards for class C water (Appendix 1). 18. Rainfall occurs mainly during the monsoon season. The average annual rainfall at Champa, located 35 km from the STPP site, for the period 1975–1984 was 1,271 mm. Temperatures peak in the pre-monsoon season at around 41oC, decreasing with the onset of the monsoon in June. In winter temperatures drop to an average seasonal minimum of around 7oC. The annual average wind speed at the site is 3.25 km/hour, with 51% of the year recorded as calm. The post-monsoon season is the calmest and the pre-monsoon period has the highest average wind velocity (6.83 km/hr). 19. The ambient air quality was measured in accordance with the CPCB monitoring standards (24-hourly air sampling carried out twice a week) at four permanent monitoring stations established within 5 km of the plant site (at Darabhata, Kaudiya, Rank and Matiyari) over a 12 month period commencing in May 1996 (Table 1). The Sipat airshed is classified as having “poor” air quality under Pollution Prevention and Abatement Handbook6 guidelines due to the 24-hourly 95th percentile of total suspended particulates (TSP)–equivalent to suspended particulate matter (SPM) exceeding 150 µg/m3 at all sampling sites in the airshed (Table 1). As there is no industry in the airshed, the excessive levels of SPM as compared to the World Bank norms were primarily due to vehicle movements on unsealed roads, agricultural disturbance of soil and domestic activities. The 24-hourly air sampling carried out twice a week indicated that local air quality is within the CPCB national air quality standard for industrial areas7 (Appendix 2) for SO2 (120 µg/m3), NOx (120 µg/m3) and carbon monoxide (5.0 µg/m3 over 8 hours) at all four monitoring stations. Similarly, the SPM standard at all sites is also within the limits for industrial area (500 µg/m3).

Table 1: Twenty four-hourly 95th Percentile Ambient Air Quality at Sipat (µg/m3)

Sampling Site

Distance and Direction from Site

SPM SO2 NOx

Darrabhata 3.6 km east 245 10.1 13.0 Kaudiya 2.0 km south-southeast 356 11.5 15.1 Rank 4.5 km south-southwest 240 9.2 12.8 Matiyari 3.8 km west 370 11.8 14.7

km = kilometer, NOx = nitrogen oxides, SO2 = sulfur dioxide, SPM = suspended particular matter. Source: Envirotech Consultants. 1998. Sipat Super Thermal Power Project - Comprehensive Environmental Impact Assessment Report. New Delhi: National Thermal Power Corporation Ltd., and National Thermal Power Corporation Ltd., 2003. Environmental Impact Assessment for Sipat Super Thermal Power Project Stage II. New Delhi: National Thermal Power Corporation Ltd (Addendum).

6 World Bank. 1998. Pollution Prevention and Abatement Handbook: Towards Cleaner Production.

Washington, D.C. 7 In the no objection certificate granted by the Chhattisgarh Environment Conservation Board, this area was

classified as “industrial” based on the thermal power plant to be constructed at Sipat on mostly barren land.

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20. The project site is on the Chhattisgarh Basin geological formation, which is made up of sediments of calcarious, argillaceaous and arenaceous facies represented by limestones, shales and sandstones of the Raipur series of the Chuddapah system. The site is mostly located on hard rock terrain, with the underlying geology consisting of Charmuria limestones and Gunderdehi shales. Surface soils in the plant area are typically sandy loams, characterized as soft, friable, sticky and plastic. Surface soils in the ash pond area are yellowish brown clay or clay loam, medium hard, plastic and friable with iron nodules. In summary, the agricultural soil is poor across much of the site, with low ridges to the south being shallow and stoney. Land use in the surrounding area (a 15 km radius from the STPP site) based on 1997 satellite data is dominated by irrigated and dryland cultivation (50.4%). Secondary land uses include wasteland (42.5%), forest (5.6%), and water bodies (1.5%). Site land use before construction was dominated by barren land, with private agricultural land (cropping and grazing) making up about 45% of the site.

2. Ecological Resources 21. The original native vegetation of the area was deciduous dry mixed type. Vegetation cover on the plant and ash pond sites consisted of a mixed variety of tree and shrub species. The dominant tree species in the ash pond area were Butea monosperma, Acacia nilotica, Limonia accidissima, Diospyros melanoxylon, Adina cordifolia, Buchanania lanzan, Mangifera indica, Madhuca indica, Gardenia lucida, Terminalia chebula, Terminalia bellirica, Acacia Arabia, and Ziziphus nummularia. There is no forest land on the site, with the nearest protected or reserve forests8 being Sonthi Pahar and Dalha. 22. There is relatively little native wildlife in the locality or on the site before construction because of the absence of forest cover. Wildlife has declined in the area because of the expansion of agriculture. The main wildlife areas in Bilaspur District are in the large wooded areas about 50–65 km to the northeast and northwest of the plant site, where tigers (Panthera tigris) are found. More common species include panthers (Panthera pardus), sloth bear (Melursus ursinus), hyena, fox, jackal, nilgai (antelope) and chital (spotted or axis deer). The Lilagrah River supports an aquatic ecosystem with significant macrophyte, phytoplankton, zooplankton and macro invertebrate populations, but there are no rare or endangered species. Eutrophication is generally not observed in the river.

3. Economic Development 23. Outside the urban center of Bilaspur, farming is the primary occupation, with 90% of workers engaged in cultivation or other agricultural pursuits. About 77% of the gross economic product in the study area is derived from agriculture, with livestock contributing 14% and industry 9%.

8 “Reserve forest” refers to an area notified under the provisions of Indian Forest Act or State Forest Acts

and having a full degree of protection, where all activities are prohibited unless permitted. “Protected forest” refers to an area notified under the provisions of the Indian Forest Act or the State Forest Acts and having a limited degree of protection, where all activities are permitted unless prohibited. “Reserve” and “protected” forest do not denote national park, sanctuary or wildlife reserve.

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24. Cultivation is the dominant land use activity in the area, with kharif (monsoon season) and rabi (winter irrigated) crops grown. Kharif crops are grown on about 95% of cultivated land each year, whereas rabi crops are sown annually on around 41% of cultivated land. Paddy constitutes around 97% of the total area under kharif crops, while pulses make up 77% of the rabi crop area. 25. Site ownership before acquisition (excluding the 243 ha merry go round) consisted of 823 ha of government land and 686 ha of private land. Private land included 210 ha considered to be good agricultural land based on the state government levy system (13.9% of the total site excluding the MGR).

4. Social and Cultural Resources 26. The local settlement pattern is characterized by small rural settlements along access roads, with the exception of the large population centers of Bilaspur and Akaltara. Population growth in these two centers and adjoining areas has been substantial over the past 20 years. The main road access in the area is via the Bilaspur–Baloda state highway that passes through Sipat. Only three villages are served by rail. Medical facilities in the study area are limited to 10 primary health centers and one community health center. About 98% of villages in the area have primary school facilities, while the literacy rate is 39% (55% for men and 23% for women). All villages have power supply. 27. No historic or religious sites are located on project sites. The nearest sites of historic and religious importance in Bilaspur district are the archeologically protected monuments of Ratanpur and Malhar located 25 km from the plant site. Ratanpur has a fort and several well known old temples (Devi Mahamaya and Baba Bhairav) where an annual fair is held on the occasion of Magh Poornima. Malhar contains the ruins of several old temples. Three other historic or religious sites are 30–55 km away. C. Alternatives 28. No Project. The need for the additional power generation was identified by the Central Electricity Authority (CEA), Ministry of Power, in an electricity supply and demand analysis for the western region of India. The analysis projected a 4.9% deficit in power supply in 1995–96 and a 1% deficit in 1996–97. By 2002–03, the power supply position in the Western Region was a 20.3% deficit at peak periods and a 12.6% deficit in energy availability versus demand. The “without” project scenario would mean that this significant energy deficit in the western region would continue, stifling the expansion of industry and curbing residential consumption of electricity. The Project will generate 2,980 MW of power in the region. 29. Fuel Type. The CEA considered the economics of generation and transmission; losses in the system; load center requirements; grid stability; security of supply; quality of power, including voltage profile; and environmental considerations, including rehabilitation and resettlement (footnote 2). The most cost-effective option was found to be coal-fired thermal power generation located near the fuel source (i.e., the mine mouth). Because of the significant transport cost savings over imported natural gas or transmission of electricity from hydropower sites in other grid regions (i.e., the northern and eastern regions), this form of power generation delivers a lower cost per kWh than either gas-fired thermal or hydroelectric plants.

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30. Location. The CEA identified the general locality for the plant primarily on the basis of its proximity to the Korba coalfield. The government of Madhya Pradesh and the Madhya Pradesh State Electricity Board then suggested four alternative sites for the 3,000 MW plant (Bishrampur, Birsinghpur, Ratanpur, and Sipat). NTPC conducted a detailed analysis of these sites, based on the availability of suitable land, distance from coal source, availability and distance from a reliable water source, road and rail access, availability of infrastructure and environmental impact. Sipat was selected as the optimum site for the plant because of:

(i) the availability of 800 ha of “barren revenue land”, with no forest land or large forested areas present and an absence of coal deposits;

(ii) the proximity of the Korba coalfields (only 40 km away), which contain sufficient coal reserves for the plant’s design capacity;

(iii) the availability of sufficient water from the Hasdeo barrage 65 km away; (iv) the minor resettlement required; and (v) the good infrastructure facilities available close to the site.

31. The site is 16 km from the nearest population center, Bilaspur, and 25 km from the nearest significant historic sites. It is also remote from large-scale industrial developments, including the two existing thermal power plants in the region: the 2,100 MW Korba STPP (about 90 km from Sipat) and the 2,260 MW Vindhyachal STPP (over 250 km from Sipat). This latter plant has provisions to be expanded to 3,260 MW, and both source coal from the Korba coalfields. 32. Boiler Type. The boiler unit type was selected because of its thermal efficiency and to meet the objective of bringing substantial generation online during the period covered by the Tenth Five Year Plan (2002–2007). In 1999, supercritical units were selected for both stages of the STPP as they provide around 2% more thermal efficiency than subcritical units. However, because of concerns that the new technology might delay the commissioning dates, NTPC eventually replaced the stage II single 660 MW supercritical unit with 2 x 500 MW subcritical units. Despite the eventual selection of a combination of supercritical and subcritical boiler technology for STPP, NTPC plans to install supercritical units of 660 MW or greater in future in order to deliver thermal efficiencies that are about 2.6% higher than those of the 500 MW subcritical units. Smaller subcritical units will be installed only for the extension of brown field projects where larger units cannot be accommodated because of area limitations or other site constraints. 33. Other Technology. Another major plant design option was flue gas desulfurization (FGD). An FGD unit was not included in the final plant design because the low sulfur content of the coal means the CPCB ambient air quality standard for SO2 will be met by the existing units. Installation of an FGD would increase the cost of generation and such costs would not be permitted as a recoverable cost according to the tariff regulatory orders issued by the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC). However, space has been allocated for the installation of such a unit if it is required at a later date.

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D. Anticipated Environmental Impacts and Mitigation Measures 34. The primary adverse impacts of the Project are land acquisition, land use conversion, air quality decline, water use, and solid waste and effluent generation (Table 2).

Table 2: Primary Adverse Environmental and Social Impacts of Sipat STPP

Issue/Feature

Impact Extent Duration

Land Acquisition • Acquisition of private agricultural land and government land

1,773 ha, including 687 ha, of private land. No resettlement required

Permanent

Land Use Conversion

• Conversion of private and government land to power station facilities

210 ha good agricultural land, 476 ha lower class private land, 74 ha forest land, 823 ha of mainly barren government land

Permanent

Air Quality • Decline in local/regional air quality from plant emissions

• Emission of greenhouse gases

Ambient air quality will marginally decline in the locality. About 20 million t annually.

Permanent

Surface Water Extraction

• Water extraction from the Hasdeo barrage via the right bank canal

3.72 m3/sec initially, reducing to 3.16 m3/sec with ash pond recycling

Permanent

Solid Waste • Ash production and disposal 6.4 million t annually Permanent Effluent • Effluent discharge into the

Lilagrah River 1,265 m3/hour of industrial waste and 529 m3/hour of domestic waste

Permanent

ha = hectares, m = meter, t = ton. Source: Envirotech Consultants. 1998. Sipat Super Thermal Power Project - Comprehensive Environmental Impact Assessment Report. New Delhi: National Thermal Power Corporation Ltd.

1. Land Acquisition 35. Site land acquisition mainly occurred between 1997 and 1999 when the 1,510 ha main plant site and ash pond area were acquired. The remainder of the site, which was required for MGR development (243 ha, including about 74 ha of forest land), was acquired in 2003 and 2004. Of the 1,510 ha initially acquired, private land accounted for 686 ha. Land acquisition was done by the state government as per the provisions of Land Acquisition Act, 1894. No land acquisition was required for the installation of the two subsurface water supply pipelines, but compensation was paid for the easement right and land use disturbances. No resettlement was required for the Project.

2. Land Use Conversion 36. The 1,510 ha initially acquired was composed of 210 ha of good agricultural land, 476 ha of lower class private land and 823 ha of Government land (mainly barren). Construction activities have begun on the majority of project sites, with the main exception being the construction of two ash ponds. Substantial earthworks and ground level changes have occurred across most of the site to prepare areas for various project facilities. Accordingly, most of the land use conversion from cultivation, grazing land, barren land and other minor uses has occurred.

3. Water Usage 37. The maximum water requirement for the plant and all associated facilities will initially be 3.72 m3/sec (13,400 m3/hour) with the once-through ash water circulation

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system for one stage only. The long-term water requirement will then reduce to 3.16 m3/sec (11,380 m3/hour) when ash water recycling begins. Ash water recycling will occur once the operating ash pond has filled with water to the initial operational level. Water use will also be minimized by using a closed circuit cooling system and the recycling coal handling effluent. 38. Water for the Project has been allocated by the Central Water Commission and State Water Resource Department from the state’s industrial water quota. Water will be diverted from the Hasdeo barrage into the right bank canal (RBC) and pumped to the STPP during the 11 months of the year when the canal is operating. The main current use of water from the barrage and the RBC is irrigation, with 400 million m3 allocated for industrial use. There is excess industrial quota water in the barrage and this has been allocated to Sipat STPP without having to divert water from other existing uses. The maximum capacity of the concrete-lined RBC is sufficient to supply all existing demands plus STPP requirements. The RBC does not operate for up to 21 days each year around November and December when maintenance is undertaken, and thus the raw water reservoir capacity is equivalent to the STPP water requirement for 21 days. The peak rate of STPP extraction from the RBC will occur when the three raw water reservoirs are filled immediately before and following canal maintenance.

4. Air Quality 39. A decline in air quality because of gaseous plant emissions will be the major long-term adverse impact of the plant, but this will be mitigated by: (i) the use of high- efficiency electrostatic precipitators (ESPs), which are more than 99.9% efficient for the removal of fly ash; (ii) the use of coal with a low sulfur content (around 0.36%); (iii) 275 m high stack heights to promote higher mixing and to limit ground level concentrations; and (iv) a two-stage combustion process that reduces the formation of thermal NOx in the furnace. As described below, the plant will meet almost all World Bank guidelines for emissions limits (adopted by ADB) for new fossil-fuel-fired thermal power plants.9 The suspended particulate matter (SPM) levels in flue gas emissions from the stage I and II plant will be less than 50 mg/Nm3, in line with the World Bank guidelines limit of 50 mg/Nm3 and far less than the Indian Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) limit of 150 mg/Nm3. Flue gas concentrations of SO2 will be about 1,200 mg/Nm3, well below the maximum allowable concentration of 2,000 mg/Nm3. However, the total SO2 emissions from the plant will be 366.9 t/day (235.6 t/day for stage I, 131.3 t/day for stage II), 19 t/day or 5.5% higher than the World Bank limit of 348 t/day calculated for this 2,980 MW plant, despite the use of coal with a very low sulfur content. Mitigation measures to reduce the total daily weight of SO2 emissions to meet the World Bank guideline limit were considered but determined to be cost-ineffective for the small reduction sought.10 The NOx emission levels of the plant will be 624 mg/Nm3 (stage I) and 599 mg/Nm3 (stage II), well within the World Bank standard of 750 mg/Nm3. There are no CPCB emission standards for SO2 and NOx.

9 ADB has adopted the World Bank emission guidelines, contained in the Pollution Prevention and

Abatement Handbook, 1998 (footnote 5). 10 The use of flue gas desulfurization (FGD) units was considered, but the cost of energy to run the units and

the generation of solid waste produced by the plant were deemed to outweigh the SO2 emission reduction benefits. Space has been allowed for the installation of FGD units at a later date if they prove to be economically viable or are required by the Government of India.

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40. Air quality modeling using the industrial source complex version (ISCST3)”11 for atmospheric dispersion of stack emissions was undertaken to assess the decline in air quality from the combined stage I and II plant. This modeling, run for the worst meteorological conditions for atmospheric dispersion, predicted ground level concentrations (GLCs) of SPM, SO2 and NOx over a 20 km by 20 km area centered on the plant. The highest predicted 24-hour GLCs of each of the main pollutants in the modeled area are summarized in Table 3, while the maximum 24-hour GLCs at three nearby villages are given in Table 4.

Table 3: Predicted Highest Resultant GLCs over 24 Hours Pollutant

Baseline

Ambient Air Quality (98%)

(µg/m3)

Stage I (µg/m3)

Stage II (µg/m3)

Resultant Concentration

(µg/m3)

SO2 8.2 37.4 19.9 65.5 NOx 14.3 19.0 9.9 43.2 SPM 375.0 1.52 0.83 377.4

GLC = ground level concentration, m = meter, NOx = nitrogen oxides, SO2 = sulfur dioxide, SPM = suspended particulate matter, µg/m3 = micrograms per cubic meter. Source: National Thermal Power Corporation Ltd., 2003. Environmental Impact Assessment for Sipat Super Thermal Power Project Stage II. New Delhi: National Thermal Power Corporation Ltd (Addendum).

Table 4: Predicted Maximum Resultant GLCs over 24 Hours at Nearby Villages

Location Direction Distance

from Site (km)

Pollutant 98% AAQ Concentr.

(µg/m3)

Stage I (µg/m3)

Stage II (µg/m3)

Resultant Concentr.

(µg/m3) SO2 9.8 8.10 5.50 23.4 NOx 26.3 4.12 2.74 33.2

Bilaspur West-southwest

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SPM 393 0.33 0.23 393.6 SO2 3.8 27.70 10.0 41.5 NOx 10.8 14.13 4.82 29.8

Sonthipahar Northeast 7

SPM 61.9 1.17 0.42 63.5 SO2 — 11.50 5.75 — NOx — 5.82 2.86 —

Mopaka West-southwest

10.2

SPM — 0.91 0.48 — AAQ = ambient air quality, GLC = ground level concentration, km = kilometer, m = meter, NOx = nitrogen oxides, SO2 = sulfur dioxide, SPM = suspended particulate matter, µg/m3 = microgram per cubic meter. Source: National Thermal Power Corporation Ltd., 2003. Environmental Impact Assessment for Sipat Super Thermal Power Project Stage II. New Delhi: National Thermal Power Corporation Ltd (Addendum).

41. The highest predicted 24-hourly resulting SO2 GLC due to the plant operating at full capacity is 65.5 µg/m3, which is within the prescribed 24-hour limit of 120 µg/m3 for industrial area set by the CPCB (Appendix 2). The highest predicted 24-hourly resulting NOx GLC of 43.2 µg/m3 is also well below the industrial area standard of 120 µg/m3. Similarly, the highest predicted SPM level of 377.35 µg/m3 is also well within the 24-hour limit of 500 µg/m3. Plant emissions will only increase the maximum SPM GLC by 0.63% (2.35 µg/m3), and the quality of air shed will essentially remain the same.

11 U.S. EPA. 1995. User’s Guide for the Industrial Source complex (ISC3) Dispersion Models. Volume 1.

User Instructions. U.S. EPA Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards; Emissions, Monitoring and Analysis Division, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina.

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42. Approximately 20 million tons of greenhouse gases will be emitted by the plant each year, mainly as CO2. NTPC is not subject to greenhouse gas reduction targets under India’s commitment to the Kyoto Protocol, but it seeks to minimize greenhouse gas emissions by adopting clean and efficient technology, renovating and modernizing older plant, and conducting large-scale afforestation at all plant sites.12 Fugitive emissions from coal handling and transportation and from ash ponds may form a secondary cause of air quality decline. Coal dust will be suppressed by the use of covered MGR wagons, a dust suppression system at all coal handling suction and transfer points and water spraying in the coal handling yard. Dust generation from ash ponds will be prevented by maintaining a layer of water over the surface at all times until it is filled, then planting it to quick-growing vegetation.

5. Solid Waste 43. About 6.4 million tons of ash will be produced annually from the operation of the plant (about 4.25 million tons from stage I and 2.15 million tons from stage II). About 38–40% of this substantial by-product will be utilized during the initial 9 years of the Project, with the remaining material disposed of by filling ash ponds. After 9 years of project operation, 100% of fly ash produced at the plant will be utilized, in accordance with a MOEF approval condition. The main proposed uses of ash are fly ash-based Portland Pozzolana cement manufacturing (47%), mine filling (43%) and agriculture and wasteland development (7%).

6. Effluent 44. Liquid effluent will be produced from water treatment plant wastes (clarifier sludge, filter backwash, demineralize plant regeneration waste and tube settler sludge), cooling tower blowdown, ash water blowdown, boiler blowdown and domestic waste. Clarifier sludge will be disposed of in the ash pond, while filter backwash will be recycled to the clarifier inlet. Service water, coal handling plant (CHP) area effluents and clarifier softener sludge will be treated and recycled. Ash water will be recycled and domestic waste will be treated in a sewage treatment plant. Demineralized plant regeneration waste and boiler blowdown effluent will be treated in the central monitoring basin for further equalization to meet all World Bank discharge threshold limits (Table 5) before they are released into the Lilagrah River.

12 Greenhouse gas reduction initiatives include (i) improving the Rankine cycle efficiency in pulverized coal

fired thermal units by adopting supercritical steam parameters in new thermal power stations; (ii) improving efficiency in gas turbine plants by adopting higher inlet temperatures and compression ratios in combined cycle power stations; (iii) selecting large unit sizes to achieve economies of scale and efficiency; (iv) renovation and modernization of older stations to improve efficiency; (v) developing 1,920 MW of hydropower capacity; (vi) large-scale afforestation at all plant sites to facilitate carbon sequestration; (vii) an initiative to adopt integrated gasification combined cycle technology for two 100 MW plants under development. NTPC has also launched a separate group to develop and monitor Clean Development Mechanism activities.

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Table 5: Effluent Quality Standard

Parameter World Bank Maximum Value

(mg/l except pH and temperature) pH 6-9 TSS 50 Oil and grease 10 Total residual chlorine 0.2 Chromium (total) 0.5 Copper 0.5 Iron 1.0 Zinc 1.0 Temperature increase ≤ 3oC

mg/l = milligrams per liter, C = celsius, TSS = total suspended solids. Source: World Bank. 1998. Pollution Prevention and Abatement Handbook. Washington, DC.

45. Effluent discharge from the plant will amount to 1,265 m3/hour of industrial waste and 529 m3/hour of domestic waste. Water quality in the Lilagrah River will be protected by the treatment of waste effluent to the CPCB class C standard for inland surface waters before discharge, ensuring that undue adverse impacts do not occur to river water quality or to aquatic biota. Stormwater runoff from the site will be controlled by draining the coal handling area into a settling pond and recycling this water for coal dust suppression.

7. Secondary Impacts 46. Construction impacts include erosion, sedimentation and dust from ground disturbance, land use disturbance from earthworks, noise from works and vehicles, and additional traffic. Apart from offsite sedimentation and traffic, these impacts predominantly occur within the STPP site. Control measures to mitigate these impacts will include minimization of vegetation clearance and site disturbance, saving of topsoil and progressive site rehabilitation, regular watering of roads and disturbed areas to suppress dust, and a nighttime restriction on activities near settlements to prevent noise disturbance. 47. Contamination of groundwater from ash pond infiltration will not occur because of deposition of ash particles in the clayey and clay loam soil in the ponds. Deposition will reduce the already low natural rate of infiltration that occurs because of the fine textural composition of clay and clay loam. In addition, bore well drilling and pumping tests in the ash pond area indicate that aquifers are confined with relatively low values of coefficient of transmissibility, and, therefore, percolated water from the ash ponds is unlikely to reach these aquifers. 48. Noise will be generated by turbines, cooling towers, transformers, compressors, pumps, vehicles and miscellaneous equipment during plant operation. Noise levels close to the source, particularly where more than one source occurs, are likely to be around 90 dB(A). Therefore workers will be issued protective equipment to ensure that the CPCB standard of 8 hours’ exposure to 90 dB(A) is not exceeded. Noise modeling based on equipment source noise levels of 90 dB(A) indicates that noise in a field 1,000 m from the plant will be about 30 dB(A), below the ambient noise level range of

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39.0–47.1 dB(A) recorded at nearby villages. These levels conform to World Bank and ADB limits. 49. No historic or religious sites will be affected by project construction. The five known sites are 25–55 km from the main plant site and away from the water supply pipeline, pump house, and MGR route. The visual attractiveness of the Sipat area will be reduced by the addition of the STPP plant to the Sipat area. The most obvious plant features within this rural landscape will be the two 275 m high emission stacks.

8. Cumulative Impact 50. The Sipat STPP will not contribute to local or regional adverse cumulative impacts from industry on air and water quality, as there are no major industries near Sipat. The nearest large-scale coal-fired thermal power plant is in the Korba area about 90 km from Sipat. E. Economic Assessment 51. The project capital costs are estimated at Rs123.63 billion ($2.78 billion). Operation and maintenance costs, including labor and administration, are estimated to be Rs2.15 billion, with fuel costs totalling Rs7.72 billion. The estimated cost of the main environmental management measures incorporated into the Project is Rs8.61 billion ($194 million). These are detailed in Appendix 3 The main costs are the electrostatic precipitator (Rs1.10 billion), 275 m high chimneys (Rs904 million), cooling towers (Rs969 million), ash handling civil works (Rs740 million), ash handling mechanical works including ash water recirculation (Rs1.61 billion), and ash dykes (Rs1.04 billion). These environmental mitigation costs have been included in the overall costs of the project. 52. The main quantifiable economic benefit of the project will be the value of 20,883 GWh of incremental electricity generation added to the western region grid. The economic cost of generation from STPP is about Rs1.49 per kwh ($0.033 per kwh). The economic internal rate of return for the project is about 13.6%, compared with a standard economic discount rate of 10%. This indicates that the project on a stand-alone basis is economically viable. Stable power supply is crucial for the continued development of India, with the availability of energy stimulating balanced growth and providing employment opportunities. The cost of private generation of electricity is higher than the economic cost of power plants like Sipat, because of economies of scale and the fact that private offgrid generation uses less efficient technology and fuel sources. F. Environmental Management Plan 53. Project environmental management is being and will continue to be undertaken by NTPC, in accordance with the management measures proposed in the comprehensive EIA and EIA addendum. The main measures included in the project design, being implemented during construction and to be implemented during operation are summarized in Table 6. NTPC will conduct project monitoring in accordance with the actions summarized in Table 7.

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Table 6: Summary of Main Environmental Mitigation Measures Project Activity/Issue

Environmental Impact/Issue

Mitigation Measure Stage Responsibility

Drainage • Preservation of the natural existing drainage as far as possible

Construction NTPC Site Preparation

Vegetation, erosion control and site rehabilitation

• Minimization of vegetation clearance and the disturbed area

Construction NTPC

• Provision of washing and bathing facilities in the temporary construction township

Construction Contractor Water pollution

• Disposal of wastewater in soak pits or by other suitable means

Construction Contractor

Construction Pollution Control

Dust generation

• Regular watering of dust sources Construction NTPC and contractor

Construction Noise

Noise • No use of machinery that generates noise levels above 90 dB(A) close to populated areas at night-time

Construction NTPC and contractor

• Topsoil saving during construction for reuse for site revegetation

Construction NTPC and contractor

Site Rehabilitation

Site rehabilitation

• Progressive site revegetation Construction NTPC • 275 m high emission stacks to

promote wider atmospheric dispersion

Design NTPC

• Provision of space for retrofitting flue gas desulfurization units

Design NTPC

• High efficiency electrostatic precipitators to control SPM emissions

Operation NTPC

• Dust suppression system in the coal handling plant (CHP) area to minimize fugitive emissions - Water sprayed to suppress dust during wagon unloading into the track hopper - Dust suppression system provided at all transfer points - Coal stockyard sprayed with plain

water

Operation NTPC

• Greenbelt planting Construction and operation

NTPC

Air pollution

• Water cover over deposited ash in ponds to avoid fugitive dust generation from wind

Operation NTPC

• Cooling towers with a recirculating cooling water system to eliminate thermal discharges

Design NTPC

• pH adjustment of the demineralized plant regeneration waste in a neutralization pit

Operation NTPC

Pollution Control

Water pollution

• Drainage of the coal handling yard into a settling pond and oil handling areas into an oil separator

Operation NTPC

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Project Activity/Issue

Environmental Impact/Issue

Mitigation Measure Stage Responsibility

• Treatment of plant effluents at respective locations then fed into the central monitoring basin for dilution and buffering to meet discharge standards

Operation NTPC

• Treatment of sewage in sewage treatment plant

Operation NTPC

• Equipment design to limit noise levels to 90 dB(A)

Design NTPC

• Acoustic enclosures to reduce noise emission

Design NTPC

Noise

• Personal protective equipment for workers in high noise areas

Operation NTPC

• 100% extraction and storage of dry fly ash

Operation NTPC

• Storage of dry ash in silos and transportation by truck/railway wagon

Operation NTPC

Ash management system

• Pumping of bottom ash to disposal ponds

Operation NTPC

• Use of fly ash bricks in plant and township construction to promote this material

Construction NTPC

• Seeking support from other organizations to utilize or mandate the use of fly ash (e.g. in clay brick manufacturing)

Operation NTPC

Ash Management

Ash utilization

• Development of a fly ash handling system to transport ash to the Dipika mine for filling

Operation NTPC

Afforestation • Planting of greenbelts on 87 ha at the plant, including the township and community buildings

Construction and operation

NTPC

CHP = coal-handling plant, dB(A) = decibel average, ha = hectare, m = meter. Sources: Source: Envirotech Consultants. 1998. Sipat Super Thermal Power Project - Comprehensive Environmental Impact Assessment Report. New Delhi: National Thermal Power Corporation Ltd., and National Thermal Power Corporation Ltd., 2003. Environmental Impact Assessment for Sipat Super Thermal Power Project Stage II. New Delhi: National Thermal Power Corporation Ltd (Addendum).

Table 7: Monitoring Program Aspect

Parameters Location Frequency Responsibility

Meteorology Temperature (max. and min.), rainfall, relative humidity, atmospheric pressure, wind speed and direction

One site Daily NTPC’s on-site Environmental Management Group (EMG)

Stack emissions

SPM, SO2, NOx

Each stack Continuous EMG at site

Ambient air quality

SPM, SO2, NOx, RPM, CO and hydrocarbons

Three sites – selected in consultation with the SPCB Southi Pahar

24 hours twice a week 24 hours twice a week

EMG at site

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Aspect

Parameters Location Frequency Responsibility

Surface water quality

pH, temperature, conductivity, TSS, TDS, BOD, DO, MPN Coliform Iron and heavy metals (Hg, Cd, Cr, Pb, Zn, As, Cu)

At least three sites - selected in consultation with the SPCB

Monthly Quarterly

EMG at site

Ground water quality and water table

pH, TSS, TDS, fluoride, boron Heavy metals

Five locations around ash pond

Monthly Quarterly

EMG at site

Liquid effluents pH, temperature, conductivity, TSS, TDS, COD, BOD, DO, oil and grease, Phenolic compounds, sulphates, chlorides, fluorides, phosphates Iron and heavy metals (Hg, Cd, Cr, Pb, Zn, As, Cu) pH, TSS, COD, BOD

Central monitoring basin Sanitary effluent

Daily Quarterly Daily

EMG at site

Terrestrial ecology

Visible damage to crops from air pollutants

Appropriate nearby fields

Every three years– pre- and post-monsoon

EMG at site

Aquatic ecology

Density and diversity of fish, plankton, macroinvertebrates, etc.

Same three sites where surface water quality is sampled

Every three years – pre- and post- monsoon

EMG at site

Noise Daytime and nighttime noise levels

Plant area and nearby villages

Yearly EMG at site

Employee health

Diseases of the eye, ear and chest

All plant personnel Yearly EMG, site in consultation with Medical cell

BOD = biochemical oxygen demand, COD = chemical oxygen demand,, DO = distillate oil, EMG = environmental management group, MPN = most probable number, NOx = nitrogen oxides, RPM = respirable particulate matter, SO2 = sulfur dioxide, SPCB = state pollution control board, SPM = suspended particulate matter, TDS = total dissolved solids, TSS = total suspended solids. Source: National Thermal Power Corporation Ltd., 2003. Environmental Impact Assessment for Sipat Super Thermal Power Project Stage II. New Delhi: National Thermal Power Corporation Ltd (Addendum). G. Public Consultation and Disclosure 54. Public consultation and disclosure of information about Sipat STPP took place through a public hearing for stage II, consultations during the land acquisition process, village development advisory committee (VDAC) meetings, and advertisements with news on the approval of the project proposal. The public hearing for stage II was held on 23 December 2003 in Triveni Hall, Vyapur Vihar, Bilaspur, in accordance with Government of India EIA notification No. 1994 and notification No. 318 under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. This was preceded by a notice published on 20 November 2003 in Nav Bharat, Danik Bhaskar and Hari Bhhomi, inviting suggestions, views, comments and observations from all concerned on the proposed project to be

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provided to the regional office of the Chhattisgarh Environment Protection Board. The responses received were read to the public hearing and the STPP pollution control measures were described. The main issues raised by the public were adequate water and air pollution control, project employment for local people, and local area development. A list of representatives who attended the public hearing is provided in Appendix 4. No public hearing was held for stage I as it was not a Government of India requirement at the time of project clearance. 55. Additional consultation took place during VDAC meetings on 19 October 2004, 20 May 2005, and 17 August 2005. Both the district collector and representatives from the various villages attended to discuss the ongoing rehabilitation and rural development plans being carried out by NTPC. These meetings confirmed that there are no ongoing public grievances. Minutes of one of these meetings are attached in Appendix 5. This finding was verified by an ADB mission with the District Collector of Bilaspur District during a site inspection in November 2005. H. Due Diligence Review of Associated Facilities 56. Seven high voltage transmission lines and two substations are being constructed by Power Grid Corporation of India to transmit power from the plant to the western region. The two 765 kV transmission lines and five 400 kV lines are essential to the Project as they provide the means of exporting power. A due diligence review was conducted of the likely environmental impact of these lines to assess the significance of these and whether the lines complied with Government of India law and policy and ADB standards. The review was based on the initial environmental examination and initial social assessment report (IEE and ISA Report) for the Sipat I transmission system.13 57. The two new 765 kV high voltage transmission lines will run close to each other from Sipat to a substation at Seoni, covering 343 km and 344 km. The 400 kV lines will be Seoni–Khandawa (343 km), Nagda–Dehgam (333 km), the loop-in loop-out (LILO) of Korba–Raipur (16.5 km), the LILO of Sardar Sarovar–Nagda (6 km), and the LILO of Bhilai–Satpura (5 km). Each 765 kV line will be set within a 64 m wide right-of-way (ROW) where vegetation will be cleared to a maximum height of 2 m. The 400 kV lines will be set within a 46 m wide ROW. 58. The transmission line routes were selected to avoid communities (with special reference to tribal communities) and resettlement, monuments of cultural or historical importance, conservation areas (e.g., sanctuaries, national parks, wildlife reserves, reserve forests) and areas of other natural resources (e.g. agricultural land). In addition, the lines will be set back 10–15 km from major towns where possible to accommodate future urban expansion, and wetlands and unstable areas will be avoided. The most sensitive sites affected by the selected 765 kV routes (chosen from three alternatives) are the crossing of 20 km of reserve and social forest (footnote 6), and the crossing of the Kawarda and Mandala tribal areas. The sensitive sites affected by the 400 kV lines are the following:

(i) Seoni–Khandawa (46 km of reserve and protected forest crossed); and

13 Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd., 2003. Initial Environmental Examination and Initial Social

Assessment Report for Sipat - I Transmission System. Environment and Social Management Department, Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd.

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(ii) Nagda–Dehgam (a large number of trees will be cleared from revenue land and about 60% of the route will pass through tribal belts in Madhya Pradesh and Guajrat).

The LILO of Korba–Raipur and LILO of Bhilai–Satpura will not cross forest or other ecologically sensitive sites. 59. No endangered flora or fauna species have been identified in the areas of forest affected by the seven lines or in the neighboring areas. No historic or cultural monuments are affected. Sanctuaries and national parks have been avoided. The only agricultural land that will be lost is the foundation area of each tower (estimated to be 0.2–1 m2 per average farm holding). No resettlement is required along any route, but the resettlement of 36 people at the Seoni substation site (43 ha) and 17 people at the Rajgarh substation site is likely. 60. The IEE concluded that construction of proposed 1,401 km of 765 kV and 400 kV transmission lines will require the clearance of 534 ha of forest along 84 km of ROW, but that no rare, threatened or endangered species would be affected. The environmental and social impact of these lines and substations was assessed as part of the Sipat Transmission System Subproject.14 The IEE and ISA report was subsequently prepared by Power Grid Corporation of India and reviewed and approved by ADB in November 2003. The proposal received forest clearance from MOEF. Environmental clearance is not required for this category of development.

III. KAHALGAON SUPER THERMAL POWER PROJECT (STPP) STAGE II 61. The description of the Kahalgaon stage II super thermal power project (STPP) contained in this SEIA is primarily based on the information contained in the stage II phase II EIA15 (2003). The stage II phase I EIA (2000) for the initially proposed 2 x 660 MW units was used as an additional source of information to describe the existing environment and proposed environmental management measures. A. Description of the Project 62. The Kahalgaon stage II STPP is 1,500 MW in capacity and consists of two phases being constructed concurrently: phase I —1,000 MW (2 x 500 MW units); and phase II — 500 MW (1 x 500 MW unit). The total annual electricity generated from the stage II STPP will be 10,500 GWh, with generated electricity supplying the northern, eastern, and western grid regions of India. The Project, illustrated in Map 2, features:

(i) three 500 MW subcritical steam generators; (ii) a new coal-handling system; (iii) a fuel oil handling and storage system; (iv) high-efficiency electrostatic precipitators; (v) two 275 m high emission stacks (a twin flue and a single flue);

14 ADB. 2000. Report and Recommendation of the President to the Board of Directors on a Proposed Loan

to India for the Power Transmission Improvement Sector Project. Manila (Loan 1764-IND, approved October).

15 National Thermal Power Corporation Limited. 2003. Kahalgaon Super Thermal Power Project (Stage II, Phase II, (1x500 MW), Environmental Impact Assessment. Environmental Engineering, National Thermal Power Corporation Limited, New Delhi.

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(vi) 400 kV and 132 kV switchyards; (vii) two 4 km long water supply pipelines; (viii) a closed circuit circulating water system with induced draft cooling towers; (ix) an ash water recirculation system, effluent treatment plant and central

monitoring basin; (x) an ash dyke; and (xi) 188 quarters to house workers.

63. The project site is 3–4 km south of Kahalgaon township and 4 km west of the Ganges River in Bhagalpur District, Bihar. The site is about 32 km north of Bhagalpur township and is approachable from the Bhagalpur–Sahibganj state highway. The stage II plant and all associated facilities except the water supply pipeline, are being constructed within the existing Kahalgaon STPP stage I site that was acquired in 1983–1984. Stage I, consisting of 4 x 210 MW units, was given environmental clearance in 1989 and has been fully operational since 1995. The stage II site covers 400 ha, consisting of the main plant and switchyard (96 ha), an ash dyke (296 ha), and township extension (8 ha). 64. The coal to power the stage II plant will be mined from the Rajmahal expansion coalfields, located about 32 km from the plant site. The total coal consumption of stage II is estimated to be 9.99 million tons per annum. The coal has a high ash content of about 38–45% and a low sulfur content of about 0.40%. It will be transported to the plant by captive merry-go-round rakes, to be unloaded while the rakes are in motion. Coal will either go directly to the plant via the pulverizing mills or be stored in the coal handling yard before use. 65. Water for the Project will be sourced from the Ganges River via new pumps fitted into the existing stage 1 pump house, with two new subsurface 4 km long 1,600 mm pipelines installed at the plant. The maximum water requirement to meet all plant and facility requirements for stage II will be 8,856 m3/hour (2.46 m3/sec) with once-through ash water recirculation. 66. About 3.5 million tons of ash will be produced annually from the operation of Kahalgaon STPP stage II units. High efficiency electrostatic precipitators will trap fly ash in dry form. The ash will then be taken in buffer hoppers for onward transportation in dry form or made into slurries in wetting units for pumping to ash ponds for disposal. Bottom ash will be extracted and disposed of in wet form. A recirculating-type cooling water system with induced draft cooling towers is being installed. The ash water recirculation system will return decanted water from the ash ponds back to the ash handling system for reuse. Different forms of liquid effluent from the plant will be collected and recycled, or treated in the central monitoring basin and discharged from the site. Treated effluent discharge will total 1,020 m3/hour when ash water recirculation occurs. Power from the plant will be evacuated via a new 400 kV high voltage transmission line from Kahalgaon to Biharsharif, being installed by Power Grid Corporation of India. 67. Construction of Kahalgaon stage II began in July 2003. Most stage II facilities are under construction, the main exceptions being the new ash pond and the water supply pipeline. Commissioning of stage II units will commence with the first unit in November 2006, followed by the second in March 2007 and the third in May 2007. The total cost of stage II is estimated to be Rs58.68 billion ($1.3 billion).

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68. Sites under construction at the main plant area appear to have been used as stage 1 storage areas. Areas of regrowth shrubs and trees were established after stage 1 site earthworks. The site for the new ash dykes is under cereal cropping. The main site works completed by early November 2005 were:

(i) first unit—boiler erection begun May 2004 and drum lifted in December 2004, condenser erection started in April 2005, TG erection started in May 2005;

(ii) second unit—boiler erection begun in January 2005 and drum lifted in July 2005, pressure parts erection in progress, TG foundation column casting completed;

(iii) third unit—boiler erection begun in November 2004 and drum lifted in March 2005, pressure parts erection in progress, TG foundation column casting completed;

(iv) structural fabrication and erection of main powerhouse in progress; (v) CHP track hopper, raft casting and wall lifting in progress; (vi) cooling tower rolled compacted concrete work in progress; (vii) transformer yard foundation work in progress; (viii) cooling water pump house floor casting completed; and (ix) shell casting of both chimneys in progress.

B. Description of the Environment

1. Physical Resources 69. The topography at the main plant site is flat as the site is located on the Indo-Gangetic Plain. The plant site is situated on a minor rise 34–36 m above sea level and the ash dyke is at a lower level, closer to the Ganges River. The site mainly drains to the southwest into the Koa Nallah stream, which flows about 7 km before discharging into a northward flowing section of the Ganges River. The southwestern corner of the stage I site was subject to flooding from the Ganges River in 1993 but the stage II plant has been located above this level. Site flood control works are being completed. The Koa Nallah is a small intermittent stream that dries out in the post-monsoon period. The mean monthly flow rates in the Ganges River at Patna (260 km upstream of Kahalgaon) peak in the monsoon month of September at 33,823 m3/sec, and drop to of 997 m3/sec in March. Water use by volume in local streams and rivers is mainly for irrigation, with extraction for domestic purposes being a secondary use. Water in the Ganges River is class C as per the CPCB standards for water (Appendix 1, meaning that it is fit for drinking following conventional treatment. 70. Bhagalpur, 32 km south of Kahalgaon, receives an average annual rainfall of 1,231 mm, mainly during the monsoon season. Rainfall peaks in the months of August (302 mm) and July (275 mm), with rainfall in the four monsoon months (June to September) contributing 84% of the annual total. Temperatures peak in May (pre-monsoon) at a mean maximum of 38.3oC while minimum temperatures are in January (mean minimum 12.9oC). Winds are light to gentle at an average speed of 2.65 km/hr. The maximum average speed of 4.56 km/hr is in May. The calmest season is the post-monsoon when the average wind speed drops to 1.31 km/hr. The predominant wind directions are from the east and northwest.

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71. The existing ambient air quality was measured in accordance with the CPCB monitoring standards (24-hour air sampling carried out twice a week) at four permanent monitoring stations established 3.0–3.5 km from the plant site (at Kahalgaon market, Ogri, Masdah and Milky Baisa) over a 12 month period commencing in 1999 (Table 8). The Kahalgaon airshed is classified as having “poor” air quality under Pollution Prevention and Abatement Handbook (footnote 5) guidelines due to 24-hourly 95th percentile of total suspended particulates (TSP)—equivalent to suspended particulate matter (SPM)—exceeding 150 µg/m3 at all sampling sites in the airshed (Table 9). The excessive levels of SPM were primarily due to vehicle movements on unsealed roads, agricultural disturbance of soil and domestic activities, with emissions from the Stage I plant also contributing. The 24-hour air sampling carried out twice a week indicated that local air quality is well within the CPCB national air quality standard for industrial areas (Appendix 2) for SO2 (120 µg/m3) and NOx (120 µg/m3) and SPM (500 µg/m3) at all four monitoring stations.

Table 8: Twenty-Four Hourly 95th Percentile Ambient Air Quality at Kahalgaon (µg/m3)

Sampling Site

Distance and direction from

plant

SPM SO2 NOx

Kahalgaon market 3.5 km northwest 248.4 91.3 12.5 Ogri village 3.0 km west 250.7 101.4 16.6 Masdah village 3.0 km southwest 211.5 88.3 8.8 Milkybaisa village 3.0 km east 255.6 107.6 13.7

km = kilometer, SPM = suspended particulate matter, SO2 = sulfur dioxide, NOx = nitrogen oxides, µg/m3 = microgram per cubic meter. Source: National Thermal Power Corporation Limited. 2003. Kahalgaon Super Thermal Power Project (Stage II, Phase II, (1x500 MW), Environmental Impact Assessment. Environmental Engineering, National Thermal Power Corporation Limited, New Delhi. 72. The soil in the study area is flood plain deposits of the Ganges River, but most of the area is occupied by older alluvium with two patches of laterite north-northeast of Kahalgaon. There are five isolated exposures of Precambrian gneissic rocks in the area. Surface soils in the ash pond area and at the plant site are silty clays with low permeability. Subsoils at the ash pond site are medium stiff to very stiff grayish silty clays. 73. Land use in the surrounding area (covering a 10 km radius from the site) in 1991 was dominated by agriculture and land under cultivation (72.8%), of which nearly half (46%) was irrigated. The nonagricultural land use portion (27.2%) mainly consisted of area not available for cultivation (such as canals and the Ganges River), with cultivable wasteland (15%) making up a smaller proportion.

2. Ecological Resources 74. The area is dominated by cultivation, with no forests or large areas of tree or shrub cover present. Agricultural fields, grasslands, streams and village settlements make up the main land cover types, with corresponding types of vegetation such as crops, grasses and orchard trees dominating this highly managed environment. No

23

plant species recorded in the area are endangered according to the World Conservation Union Red Book16 or the Botanical Survey of India. 75. Relatively little native wildlife occurs in the area because of the absence of forests and scrubland. Terrestrial mammals found in the area are restricted to common species that include Hanuman langur (Presbytes entellus), common jungle cat (Felis chaus), common fox (Vulpes bengalensis), jackal (Canis aureus), common green mongoose (Herpestes edwardse), civets and bats. The number of reptile species in the area has declined because of forest and scrub removal, although the area is fairly rich in amphibian species. No endangered terrestrial fauna are found in the study area. 76. The Ganges River aquatic ecosystem near Kahalgaon supports near normal patterns of plankton production, with moderate phytoplankton density during the pre- and post-monsoon seasons. The zooplankton density is healthy, with an abundance of Bacillariophyceae and Chlorophyceae, indicating that the river is moderately polluted. No fish spawning or breeding areas occur in the vicinity of the pump house or confluence of the Koa Nallah, but 23 common fish species were recorded for sale in Kahalgaon. The Bihar state government has established the Vikramshila Gangetic dolphin sanctuary in the Ganga River to protect the endangered Gangetic dolphin (Platanista gangetica). The sanctuary is located within Bhagalpur District, extending from Sultanganj to Kahalgaon (about 50 km) along the middle of the river. Gangetic dolphins are commonly found about 1 km or more north of the project pump house, as they prefer the deeper water, eddy currents, and higher fish numbers near the three small islands off the eastern bank of the river. A total of 114 individual dolphins were recorded in the sanctuary in 2000, with 39 dolphins recorded in the Kahalgaon area of the sanctuary. Normal breeding activity occurs at this site, indicating a healthy population.

3. Economic Development 77. The local economy is rural, except for the urban center of Kahalgaon. Farming is the main rural occupation, with 89% of workers engaged in cultivation and/or agricultural pursuits. The average income per family is Rs1,020/month ($23), with average expenditure of Rs914/month ($20), providing meager monthly savings. 78. Cultivation is the dominant land use activity in the area, with kharif (monsoon season) and rabi (winter irrigated) crops grown. Kharif crops are grown on most cultivated land each year, whereas rabi crops are grown on up to 46% of cultivated land. Paddy and maize are the main kharif crops, while gram, wheat, joar, sugarcane, kalai, and maize are the main rabi crops grown. The Ganges River provides the main source of irrigation water, although tanks, wells and tube wells also provide water for irrigation.

4. Social and Cultural Resources 79. The local settlement pattern is characterized by small rural settlements along access roads, with the exception of the population centre of Kahalgaon (Kahalgaon district population is estimated at 300,000 people). Little settlement occurs on the lower Ganges floodplain adjacent to the river because of flooding. The main road access in

16 Baillie, J.E.M., Hilton-Taylor, C. and Stuart, S.N. (Editors), 2004. 2004 IUCN Red List of Threatened

Species. A Global Species Assessment. IUCN, Gland, Switzerland and Cambridge, UK.

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the area is via the Bhagalpur–Sahibganj state highway. The eastern railway passes through Kahalgaon, providing a major transport link to the area. The literacy rate is 51% (58% for men and 43% for women), with considerably lower rates in rural areas. All local villages have power supply. 80. No historic or religious sites are located on the project site but a number of sites are in the area. The ruins at Vikramshila are the site of an important center for Buddhist education and meditation from the 2nd century BC to the 5th century AD. This site is located 15 km from the plant and is being restored by the Archeological Department of the Government of India. Two islands standing off the eastern bank of the Ganges at Kahalgaon are places of pilgrimage, as is Bateswar, the point at which the Ganges turns north. None of these sites is known to be listed by the Archaeological Survey of India. C. Alternatives 81. No project. The need for the additional power generation has been identified by the Central Electricity Authority (CEA), Ministry of Power.17 The CEA identified a 9.7% shortage in terms of anticipated peak and a 4.8% deficit in energy availability in the year beginning April 1998. During the same period the Western Region had a 21.4% shortage in terms of anticipated peak and a 5.1% deficit in energy availability. Accordingly, for the Government of India to fully meet electricity demand by 2012—the target of the National Electricity Policy (footnote 2)—the “without” project scenario is not an option. Without the Project industry expansion would be stifled and residential consumption of electricity limited. 82. Fuel type. The CEA considered the economics of generation and transmission, losses in the system, load center requirements, grid stability, security of supply, quality of power including voltage profile and environmental considerations including rehabilitation and resettlement (footnote 2). The most cost-effective option was determined to be coal-fired thermal power generation located near the fuel source (i.e., mine mouth). This form of generation delivers a lower cost per kWh than either gas-fired thermal or hydroelectric plants, because of the transportation cost of imported natural gas or the transmission cost of electricity produced by hydroelectric plants. 83. Location. The Kahalgaon stage 1 STPP site was selected as the optimum site for the additional stage II generating units as there was sufficient NTPC land to accommodate the plant without the need for land acquisition and resettlement. Other favorable site features included adequate available coal nearby (32 km away), a very reliable water source nearby, and the ability to use some stage 1 infrastructure to service the additional units (e.g., merry-go-round, pump house, site roads and accommodation). The site is also remote from other large-scale industrial developments. 84. Boiler Type. The boiler unit type was selected because of the amount of generation required, its thermal efficiency, and the need to bring the generation online in the short term, i.e., during the period covered by the Tenth Five Year Plan (2002–2007). Supercritical units were initially selected (2 x 660 MW units) because of their higher thermal efficiency, but NTPC replaced these with subcritical units because of delays with the stage 1 units and the need to commence generation in 2006. Despite the ultimate selection of subcritical boiler technology, NTPC plans to install supercritical units of 17 Central Electricity Authority, Ministry of Power. 1998. 15th Electric Power Survey of India. New Delhi.

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660 MW or greater in future in order to deliver greater thermal efficiencies. Smaller subcritical units will only be installed for the extension of brown field projects where larger units cannot be accommodated because of area limitations or other site constraints. 85. Other Technology. Another major plant design option considered was flue gas desulfurization (FGD). An FGD unit was not included in the final plant design because the CPCB ambient air quality standard for SO2 will be met from the existing units because of the low sulfur content of the coal. If an FGD unit was installed, it would increase the cost of generation and the cost would not be recoverable under the CERC regulatory tariff order. However, space has been allowed for the installation of an FGD unit if required at a later date. D. Anticipated Environmental Impacts and Mitigation Measures 86. The primary potential adverse impacts of the Project are land use conversion, water use, air quality decline, and solid waste and effluent production (Table 9). No land acquisition or resettlement is required, as the site was fully acquired between 1983 and 1987.

Table 9: Primary Adverse Environmental Impacts of Kahalgaon STPP Stage II

Issue/Feature

Impact Extent Duration

Land use conversion

• Conversion of land to power station facilities

Approximately 400 ha of NTPC land under fallow and cropping

Permanent

Surface water extraction

• Water extraction from the Ganges River

1.62 m3/sec to be extracted for plant operation with ash pond recycling

Permanent

Air quality • Decline in local/regional air quality from plant emissions

• Emission of greenhouse gases

Ambient air quality will decline in the locality Approximately 11 million t annually

Permanent

Solid waste • Ash production and disposal

3.5 million t annually Permanent

Effluent • Effluent discharge into the Ganges River

1,020 m3/hour (0.28 m3/sec) discharged Permanent

ha = hectares, m = meter, sec. = seconds, STPP = super thermal power plant, t = ton. Source: National Thermal Power Corporation Limited. 2003. Kahalgaon Super Thermal Power Project (Stage II, Phase II, (1x500 MW), Environmental Impact Assessment. Environmental Engineering, National Thermal Power Corporation Limited, New Delhi.

1. Land Use Conversion

87. All stage II site land was acquired by NTPC in the 1980s. Before stage II construction, the main plant site had been used as a storage area. Some areas of regrowth shrubs and trees were established after stage 1 site clearing and leveling in the early 1990s. Construction activities have begun on the majority of stage II project sites, with the exception of the new ash pond (296 ha). Most of the land use conversion has therefore already occurred.

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2. Water Usage 88. The total water requirement for the stage II plant and all associated facilities will initially be 2.46 m3/sec (8,855 m3/hour) with once-through ash pond disposal, before each pond reaches operating level. The long-term water requirement will then reduce to 1.62 m3/sec (5,845 m3/hour) when ash water recycling begins. Water use will be minimized by using a closed circuit cooling system and recycling coal handling effluent. Water for the Project has been allocated by the Central Water Commission and Ministry of Water Resources, Government of India, as the Ganges is an international river. Water will be pumped from the Ganges River throughout the year. The rate of extraction will constitute only 0.25% of the minimal flow in the Ganges (650 m3/sec) that occurs in April (pre-monsoon), therefore the volume of stage II extraction will have a negligible impact on this river system.

3. Air Quality 89. A decline in air quality because of gaseous plant emissions will be the major long-term adverse impact of the plant, but this will be mitigated by the use of high-efficiency ESPs (more than 99.9% efficient for the removal of fly ash), the use of coal with a low sulfur content (not exceeding 0.40%), 275 m high stack heights to promote higher mixing and limit ground level concentrations, and a two-stage combustion process that reduces the formation of thermal NOx in the furnace. As described in detail below, the plant will meet almost all World Bank emissions guidelines limits (adopted by the ADB) for new fossil-fuel-fired thermal power plants. The SPM levels in flue gas emissions from the stage II plant will be less than 50 mg/Nm3, in line with the World Bank guidelines limit of 50 mg/Nm3 and the CPCB limit of 150 mg/Nm3. Flue gas concentrations of SO2 will be 1,353 mg/Nm3, well below the maximum allowable concentration of 2,000 mg/Nm3. The total SO2 emissions from the stage II plant will be 226.5 t/day, 26 t/day, or 13.3% higher than the World Bank limit of 200 t/day calculated for this 1,500 MW plant, while the total SO2 emissions from the entire 2,340 MW plant (stages I and II combined) will be 326 t/day, 14.8% higher (42 t/day) than the World Bank guidelines limit of 284 t/day. For reasons similar to those described in para. 39 for the Sipat STPP, SO2 emission reduction measures are not cost-effective for the relatively small reduction sought, given that low-sulfur coal will be used. The NOx emission levels of the plant will be 746 mg/Nm3, within the World Bank standard of 750 mg/Nm3. There are no CPCB emission standards for SO2 and NOx. 90. Air quality modeling using the industrial source complex model (footnote 11) for atmospheric dispersion of stack emissions was undertaken to predict the decline in air quality from the stage II plant. This modeling, run for the worst site meteorological conditions for atmospheric dispersion, predicted ground level concentrations (GLCs) of SPM, SO2 and NOx. The highest predicted 24-hour GLC of each main pollutant in the modeled area is summarized in Table 10, while maximum 24-hour GLC cumulative increases at three important nearby villages are in Table 11.

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Table 10: Maximum Resultant Concentration Due to Incremental GLCs

Incremental Maximum Concentration from Stage II

(µg/m3)

Pollutant

98% AAQ Concentration

(µg/m3) Phase I Phase II

Resultant Concentration

(µg/m3)

SO2 16.4 24.61 13.33 54.3 NOx 46.3 13.56 7.34 67.2 SPM 268 1.96 0.98 270.9

AAQ = ambient air quality, GLC = ground level concentration, SPM = suspended particulate matter, SO2 = sulfur dioxide, NOx = nitrogen oxides, µg/m3 = microgram per cubic meter. Source: National Thermal Power Corporation Limited. 2003. Kahalgaon Super Thermal Power Project (Stage II, Phase II, (1x500 MW), Environmental Impact Assessment. Environmental Engineering, National Thermal Power Corporation Limited, New Delhi.

Table 11: Resultant Concentration Due to Incremental GLCs Near Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Stations

Location Direction

from plant Distance

from plant (km)

Pollutant 98% AAQ Concen. (µg/m3)

Phase I (µg/m3)

Phase II (µg/m3)

Resultant Concen. (µg/m3)

SO2 13.2 10.9 5.4 29.5 NOx 47.4 6.0 3.0 56.4

Kahalgaon Market

Northwest 3.5 km

SPM 259.0 0.8 0.4 260.2 SO2 18.7 11.6 5.8 36.1 NOx 48.8 6.4 3.2 58.4

Ogri West 3.0 km

SPM 272.0 0.9 0.5 273.4 SO2 9.2 9.1 4.5 22.8 NOx 40.7 5.0 2.5 48.2

Masdah Southwest 3.0 km

SPM 249.0 0.7 0.4 250.1 SO2 16.1 2.8 1.4 20.3 NOx 43.3 1.6 0.8 45.7

Milky Baisa

East 3.0 km

SPM 293.0 0.2 0.1 293.3 AAQ = ambient air quality, GLC = ground level concentration, km = kilometer, m = meter, NOx = nitrogen oxides, SO2 = sulfur dioxide, SPM = suspended particulate matter, µg/m3 = microgram per cubic meter. Source: National Thermal Power Corporation Limited. 2003. Kahalgaon Super Thermal Power Project (Stage II, Phase II, (1x500 MW), Environmental Impact Assessment. Environmental Engineering, National Thermal Power Corporation Limited, New Delhi.

91. The highest predicted 24-hour resultant SO2 GLC when the plant is operating at full capacity is 54.3 µg/m3, within the prescribed 24-hour limit of 120 µg/m3 for industrial areas set by the CPCB (Appendix 2). The highest predicted 24-hour resulting NOx GLC of 67.2 µg/m3 is also well below the industrial ambient air quality standard of 120 µg/m3. The highest predicted SPM level of 270.9 µg/m3 is within the 24-hour limit of 500 µg/m3 The plant emissions will increase the maximum SPM GLC by only 1.1% (2.94 µg/m3) and by far less at nearby settlements and the quality of the air shed will essentially remain the same. 92. About 11 million t of greenhouse gases will be emitted by the stage II plant each year, mainly as CO2. NTPC is not subject to greenhouse gas reduction targets under India’s commitment to the Kyoto Protocol, but it seeks to minimize greenhouse gas emissions across its activities by adopting clean and efficient technology, renovating and modernizing older plant, and conducting large-scale forestation at all plant sites. Fugitive emissions from coal handling and transportation and from ash ponds may form a secondary cause of air quality decline. Coal dust will be suppressed by the use of

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covered MGR wagons, chemjet dust suppression system at all coal handling suction and transfer points, and water spraying in the coal handling yard. Dust generation from ash ponds will be prevented by maintaining a layer of water over the surface at all times until it is filled, then planting it to quick growing vegetation.

4. Solid Waste 93. About 3.5 million tons of ash will be produced annually from the operation of Kahalgaon stage II. About 40% of this substantial volume of by-product will be used during the initial 9 years of plant operation, with the remaining material disposed of by filling ash ponds. After the initial 9 years, 100% of the fly ash produced at the plant will be used, in accordance with an MOEF approval condition. The main proposed uses of ash are fly ash-based Portland Pozzolana cement manufacturing, clay-fly ash brick manufacturing, road and embankment construction, agriculture and wasteland development, and mine filling.

5. Effluent 94. Liquid effluent will be produced from water treatment plant wastes (clarifier sludge, filter backwash, demineralizing plant regeneration waste and tube settler sludge), cooling tower blowdown, ash water blowdown, boiler blowdown and domestic waste. Clarifier sludge will be disposed of in the ash pond, while filter backwash will be recycled to the clarifier inlet. Service water, coal-handling plant (CHP) area effluents and clarifier softener sludge will be treated and recycled. Ash water will be recycled and domestic waste will be treated in a sewage treatment plant. Demineralized plant regeneration waste and boiler blowdown effluent will be treated in the central monitoring basin for further equalization so it meets all World Bank discharge threshold limits (Table 5) before offsite release. 95. The effluent discharge from Kahalgaon stage II will average 1,020 m3/hour. Effluent will be discharged into the Koa Nallah near the plant and flow about 8 km along this watercourse before entering the Ganges. No settlements are located adjacent to this lower section of the Koa Nallah so domestic water extraction from this water body is minimal. Water quality in the Ganges will be protected by the treatment of waste effluent to the CPCB class C standard and above for inland surface waters before discharge, suitable for extraction for town water supply if conventionally treated, ensuring that river water quality or aquatic biota are not unduly affected. The Kahalgaon town water supply intake is on the Ganges about 1 km downstream of the Koa Nallah confluence. Water extracted for town supply is conventionally treated before consumption. The dilution effect of the Ganges will be substantial as treated effluent mixes with the river flow. Effluent discharge from the plant will constitute just 0.04% of the minimum river flow of 650 m3/sec, although it is noted that effluent concentrations will be higher near the Koa Nallah confluence. The effluent treatment means that the local dolphin population will not be exposed to harmful concentrations of effluent. The river will further dilute the effluent before the outflows reach the deeper water in the Ganges preferred by dolphins.

6. Secondary Impacts 96. Construction impacts include erosion, sedimentation and dust from ground disturbance, land use disturbance from earthworks, noise from works and vehicles, and traffic. Each of these impacts generally occurs within the plant site, apart from offsite

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sedimentation and traffic. Control measures to mitigate these impacts include minimization of vegetation clearance and site disturbance, saving of topsoil and progressive site rehabilitation, regular watering of roads and disturbed areas to suppress dust, and a nighttime restriction on activities near settlements to prevent noise disturbance. 97. No historic or religious sites will be affected by project construction as the site is set back a minimum of 15 km from major towns. The main plant site is located above the 1:100 year flood level, and therefore is not susceptible to this frequency of flood. The crest of the new ash pond embankment will be above this flood level. The groundwater will not be contaminated by ash pond infiltration because ash particles will be deposited in the clayey or clay loam soil in the ash ponds. This will reduce the low natural rate of infiltration because of the fine textural composition of clay and clay loam. 98. Noise will be generated by turbines, boiler feed pumps, air compressors, cooling towers, transformers, the coal-handling plant, and coal mills during plant operation. As per the MOEF environmental clearance condition, noise levels must be kept below 85 dB(A) in the working environment. Given that noise in the order of 85 dB(A) is generated by different parts of the plant, and the cumulative noise from more than one noise source may exceed this level, workers will be issued protective equipment to ensure that the standards are met. Ambient noise levels in the nearest village, Gopalpur (about 1 km southeast of the plant), will be 34–40 dB(A), in accordance with World Bank guidelines and ADB limits. 99. A long-term secondary impact will be the area’s marginal loss of attractiveness by the addition of two new emission stacks and other large structures on the site.

7. Cumulative Impact 100. The adverse air and water quality impacts of the Kahalgaon stage II STPP will be added to those being created by Kahalgaon stage I (para 71). Apart from the existing plant, no other major industrial activity is located within 100 km of the site. E. Economic Assessment

101. The project capital costs are estimated to total Rs58.68 billion ($1.3 billion). Operation and maintenance costs, including labor and administration, are estimated to total Rs1.49 billion, while and fuel costs will total Rs4.99 billion. The estimated cost of the main environmental management measures incorporated into the Project is Rs5.61 billion ($123 million) (Appendix 3). The main measures by cost are the electrostatic precipitators (Rs1,275 million), 275 m high chimneys (Rs488 million), cooling towers (Rs546 million), ash handling civil works (Rs471 million), ash handling mechanical works including ash water recirculation (Rs146 billion) and ash dyke for the first 9 years of operation (Rs961 million). These environmental mitigation costs have been included in the overall costs of the Project. 102. The main quantifiable economic benefit of the project will be the value of 10,500 GWh of incremental electricity generated and added to the grid. The economic unit cost of generation for each unit is Rs1.72 per kWh ($0.0382 per kWh). The economic rate of return for the project is 11.77%, compared a standard discount rate of 10%. This indicates the project is economically viable and its benefits are sustainable. Stable

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power supply is crucial for the continued development of India, with the availability of energy stimulating balanced growth and providing employment opportunities. The cost of private generation of electricity is generally higher than the average tariffs of large base load thermal power plants such as Kahalgaon. F. Environmental Management Plan

103. Project environmental management is being and will continue to be undertaken by NTPC in accordance with the management measures proposed in the EIA. The main measures included in the project design, being implemented during construction, and to be implemented during operation are summarized in Table 12. Project monitoring will be undertaken in accordance with the actions summarized in Table 13, as summarized from the 2003 EIA.

Table 12: Summary of Main Environmental Mitigation Measures

Mitigation Measure Regulation Target Risk and Consequence of

Failure

Implementation Responsibility

A. Construction Water sprinkling Control of fugitive dust

from construction areas

Increase in SPM emissions

NTPC and contractor

Proper maintenance of vehicles and construction equipment

Control of NOx NTPC and contractor

Control of ambient and in-plant noise levels

Increase in noise levels

Contractor

Transportation of construction material in covered trucks

Control of fugitive dust from construction areas

Increase in SPM emissions

NTPC and contractor

Provision of acoustic covers and/or enclosures on equipment and machinery where practical

Control of ambient and in-plant noise levels

Increase in noise levels

NTPC and contractor

Provision of earmuffs and/or earplugs to workers in high- noise areas and enforcement of use

Protection of workers Health impact on individual workers

Contractor

Channeling of effluents from construction area through existing drains

MOEF Notification 19 May 1993

Control of suspended solids in effluents from construction area

Increase in total suspended solids in effluents

NTPC

Construction of temporary sediment tanks for construction area effluent

MOEF Notification 19 May 1993

Control of suspended solids in effluents from construction area

Increase in total suspended solids in effluents

NTPC and contractor

Provision of environmentally safe camping area for migrant laborers

Provision of clean and healthy living environment for workforce

Unhealthy living conditions, spread of disease

NTPC and contractor

Water supply and Reduce stress on the Stress on existing NTPC and

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Mitigation Measure Regulation Target Risk and Consequence of

Failure

Implementation Responsibility

sanitation surrounding population utilities, conflict with local people

contractor

Disposal of surplus earth and construction debris

Control of pollution NTPC and contractor

Reclaiming unbuilt areas with vegetation and landscaping

Create a good visual environment

NTPC

B. Operation High efficiency ESPs MOEF

Notification 2 January 1999

Reduce SPM emission levels to 100 mg/Nm3

Increase in SPM emissions

NTPC

275 m high stacks MOEF Notification 19 May 1993

Wider dispersion of SPM, SO2, NOx

Nil NTPC

Coal dust suppression system

MOEF Notification 19 May 1993

Control of fugitive dust from coal handling plant

Increase in fugitive emissions

NTPC

Water cover over ash pond and sprinklers in dry areas

MOEF Notification 19 May 1993

Control of fugitive dust Increase in fugitive emissions

NTPC

Reclamation of ash pond after abandonment

MOEF Notification 19 May 1993

Control of fugitive dust from ash pond

Increase in fugitive emissions

NTPC

Induced draft cooling towers

MOEF Notification 19 May 1993

Cooling of hot water from condenser and auxillary cooling systems for recycle

Increase in temperature of water coming out of cooling systems

NTPC

Main plant effluent treatment plant (including central monitoring basin)

MOEF Notification 19 May 1993

Removal of suspended solids, oil and grease and neutralization of pH to conform to regulatory standards for discharge

Change in concentration/ value and increase in TSS

NTPC

Ash water treatment and recycle

MOEF Notification 19 May 1993

Removal of suspended solids for recycle of effluents into ash water system

Increase in quantity of ash pond overflow

NTPC

Sewage treatment plant MOEF Notification 19 May 1993

Removal of suspended solids, oil, grease and organic matter

Increase in concentrations

NTPC

Design of equipment CPCB guidelines

Limit noise levels to 90 dB(A) at 1 m distance

Increase in in-plant and ambient noise levels

NTPC

Provision of acoustic enclosures, barriers, or shields to reduce noise

Attenuation of noise in source receptor pathway

Increase in in-plant and ambient noise levels

NTPC

Provision of personal protective equipment such as earplugs and

Protection of sensitive receptor

Hearing impact on workers in noisy areas

NTPC

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Mitigation Measure Regulation Target Risk and Consequence of

Failure

Implementation Responsibility

earmuffs Dry collection of fly ash and supply of ash to entrepreneurs

MOEF Notification 14 September 1999

Facilitate supply of dry ash to entrepreneurs

Reduction in quantity of ash utilized

NTPC

Ash utilization MOEF Notification 14 September 1999

Reduce land requirement for ash disposal and pollution from ash disposal site

Increased land requirement

NTPC

Disposal of unused ash Environmentally safe disposal of unused ash

NTPC

Mill rejects Reuse within plant or sale to other industries for reuse

NTPC

Township solid waste Environmentally safe disposal of municipal waste from township

Air and water pollution, spread of disease vectors

NTPC

Afforestation and green belt development

Ecological improvement and attenuation of air pollutants (SPM, SO2 and NOx) and noise in source receptor pathway

Implemented under stage 1. Continued until all available spaces forested

NTPC

Control of fire and explosion hazards

Safety Increased risk of fire and explosion

NTPC

CPCB = Central Pollution Control Board, dB(A) = decibel average, ESP = electrostatic precipitator, m = meter, MOEF = Ministry of Environment and Forest, NOx = nitrogen oxides, SPM = suspended particulate matter, SO2 = sulfur dioxide, TSS = total suspended solids. Source: National Thermal Power Corporation Limited. 2003. Kahalgaon Super Thermal Power Project (Stage II, Phase II, (1x500 MW), Environmental Impact Assessment. Environmental Engineering, National Thermal Power Corporation Limited, New Delhi.

Table 13: Monitoring Program Aspect

Parameters Location Frequency Responsibility

Meteorology Temperature, wind speed and direction Relative humidity, atmospheric press Rainfall

One site in township Hourly Twice daily Daily

EMG at site

Stack emissions

SPM, SO2, NOx Particle size

Each stack Once a fortnight Once a year

EMG at site

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Aspect

Parameters Location Frequency Responsibility

Ambient air quality

SPM, SO2, NOx, RPM, CO and hydrocarbons

Four sites—township (3 km north), Ogri village (3 km west), Lagma village (4 km southeast) and Nandialpur village (4.5 km northeast)

24 hours twice a week

EMG at site

Surface water quality

Physical and chemical parameters Bacteriological parameters Heavy metals and toxic constituents

Three stations on the Ganges River—1.5 km upstream, immediately downstream and 1.5 km downstream of the discharge channel

Monthly Yearly Quarterly

EMG at site

Ground water quality and water table

Physical and chemical parameters Bacteriological parameters Heavy metals and toxic constituents

Five stations close to the ash disposal site—Masdah, Emchari, Tarahan, Pakatallah and Ogri villages

Monthly Yearly Quarterly

EMG at site

Plant and township effluents

In accordance with the EPA, 1986

Monthly EMG at site

Soils Physical and chemical parameters, organic content and heavy metals

Around the ash disposal site and close to air quality monitoring stations – Masdah, Emchari, Tarahan, Pakatallah, Ogri, Nandialpur and Lagma villages

Once every 3 years

EMG at site

Terrestrial ecology

Visible damage to crops from air pollutants

Three stations close to ambient air quality stations–Ogri, Nandialpur and Lagma

Once every 3 years

EMG at site

Aquatic ecology Density and diversity of fish, plankton and macroinvertebrates

Same three sampling sites for surface water quality

Once every 3 years

EMG at site

Noise Daytime and nighttime ambient equivalent sound pressure levels (Leq)

Six stations covering industrial, commercial, residential and silence zones

Once each season

EMG at site

BOD = biochemical oxygen demand, COD = chemical oxygen demand,, DO = distillate oil, EMG = environmental management group, MPN = , NOx = nitrogen oxides, RPM = respirable particulate matter, SO2 = sulfur dioxide, SPCB = state pollution control board, SPM = suspended particulate matter, TDS = total dissolved solids, TSS = total suspended solids. Source: National Thermal Power Corporation Limited. 2003. Kahalgaon Super Thermal Power Project (Stage II, Phase II, (1x500 MW), Environmental Impact Assessment. Environmental Engineering, National Thermal Power Corporation Limited, New Delhi.

34

G. Public Consultation and Disclosure 104. Public consultation and disclosure of information and the EIAs related to the Kahalgaon stage II consisted of two public hearings and public requests for comment. The public hearing for phase I (for the original 2 x 660 MW units) was held on 8 June 2000 in the hall of the District Board near Ganguli Park, Kahalgaon, in accordance with the notice published in Aryavarta and the Patna edition of Aaj newspapers on 6 May 2000. The main project impacts and mitigation measures were described. Suggestions raised included ash disposal by filling the Rajmahal coalfields by transportation via the MGR, widening the Kova Bridge on the Kahalgaon Bhagalpur Road to improve the flow of flood waters, reassessment of the welfare scheme in the project area and local flooding, and annual assessment of plant emissions and effluent water quality. 105. The public hearing for phase II (for 1 x 500 MW units) was held on 25 September 2003 in the Inspection House of the Road Construction Department near Kahalgaon, in accordance with the notice published in the Patna editions of Dainik Jagran and Hindustan newspapers on 24 August 2003. The main project impacts and mitigation measures were described. The Public Hearing Panel unanimously recommended that the project should receive environmental clearance subject to the adequate management of adverse impacts, including provision of a fixed amount in the annual budget for the local social welfare scheme; use of ash in accordance with MOEF notification requirements; monthly monitoring of Ganges water quality up to 3 km downstream and 1.5 km upstream of the Kova Nala confluence; monitoring of any adverse effects of ash on chili, mango, and banana crops in the area; and establishment of plantations around the ash ponds to reduce or prevent airborne dust in summer. A list of attendees from these public consultations is attached in Appendix 5. 106. During site visits in November 2005, the ADB mission met with the district collector in Bhagalpur and confirmed that no grievances regarding project construction had been filed at his office by any affected parties. H. Due Diligence Review of Associated Facilities 107. The 207 km Kahalgaon–Biharsharif 400 kV transmission line is being installed by Power Grid Corporation of India to assist in the evacuation of power from the Kahalgaon stage II STPP. Associated works involve an extension of the Kahalgaon and Biharsharif switchyards. The line is set within a 52 m wide right-of-way (ROW) where vegetation will be cleared to a maximum height of 2 m. The route was selected to avoid communities (with special reference to tribal communities) and resettlement, monuments of cultural or historical importance, conservation areas (sanctuaries, national parks, reserve forests, etc) and areas of other natural resources (e.g., agricultural land). In addition, lines are set back 10–15 km from major towns where possible to accommodate future urban expansion, and wetlands and unstable areas are avoided. 108. The most sensitive site affected by the selected route (chosen from three alternatives) is the crossing of 850 m of forest land that will require the clearance of 4.4 ha of plantation to establish the ROW. Compensatory afforestation will be provided to offset this impact. No reserve and social forest is affected. No rare, threatened or endangered flora or fauna species have been identified in the area of forest affected by the line or in neighboring areas. No historic or cultural monuments, sanctuaries and national parks are affected. The only agricultural land that will be lost is for the

35

foundations of each tower (estimated to be 0.2–1.0 m2 per average farm holding). No resettlement is required along the route or for the expansion of the existing substations. Environmental clearance is not required for this category of development as no sensitive environmental features are affected. 109. The 255 km Kahalgaon–Patna 400 kV transmission line will be installed by Power Grid Corporation of India by June 2007 to assist in the evacuation of power from the Kahalgaon stage II STPP. An initial environmental assessment of this line is in progress, while the acquisition of the 18 ha substation site (consisting of 17 ha of private land and 0.1 ha of government land) has begun. A total of 78 people will be affected by construction and compensation will be paid accordingly. However, no resettlement will be required.

IV. CONCLUSIONS 110. Demand for electricity in India continues to outstrip supply, with the total shortfall in electricity supply across the country estimated to be 8.3% per annum (footnote 1). Industrial, commercial, and domestic electricity consumption is restricted by supply, thus additional generation is required to promote economic growth and poverty alleviation. The Sipat STPP stages I and II and Kahalgaon STPP stage II will provide India with a combined total of around 31,380 GWh of electricity per annum that will partly meet the current shortfall in supply. Increased electricity supply from these large thermal plants will lead to the replacement of some less efficient private electricity generation. The plants will also create short-term construction employment and long-term operational jobs. 111. Both projects have received all the necessary MOEF (Government of India) and SPBC clearances and approvals following the preparation of EIAs and the conduct of public hearings in accordance with Government of India requirements. 112. The main adverse environmental impacts of the STPPs will be a marginal decline in air quality and ash and effluent production, while completed land acquisition also has had some impact at the Sipat STPP. The decline in ambient air quality will be mitigated by the use of coal with a sulfur content of around 0.36% for Sipat and 0.40% for Kahalgaon stage II; use of a two-stage combustion process that reduces the formation of thermal NOx in the furnace; trapping more than 99.9% of fly ash in high-efficiency electrostatic precipitators to limit emissions to less than 50 mg/Nm3, in line with the World Bank and ADB limits; and installing 275 m high stacks that promote higher mixing. About 40% of the ash produced as a by-product of combustion over the initial 9 years of plant operation will be utilized, with 100% of ash to be utilized beyond this period. The main uses will be fly ash-based Portland Pozzolana cement manufacturing, clay-fly ash brick manufacturing, road and embankment construction, agriculture and wasteland development and mine filling. Effluent from plant processes will be reused or treated to Government of India standards for inland surface waters before discharge. Other major impact mitigation measures include a coal dust suppression system and an extensive afforestation program. 113. Environmental features that relate to the main project impacts will be regularly monitored to check their compliance with project approval conditions and pollution standards. The principal parameters to be monitored will be local meteorology, flue gas

36

emissions, local ambient air quality, surface water and ground water quality, discharge effluent quality, soils, aquatic ecology, and noise levels.

Appendix 1 37

NATIONAL WATER QUALITY STANDARDS

Designated Best-Use Class of Water Criteria

Drinking water source without conventional treatment but after disinfection

A 1. Total coliforms organism MPN/100 ml 50 or less 2. pH between 6.5 and 8.5 3. Dissolved oxygen 6 mg/l or more 4. Biochemical oxygen demand 5 days 20oC 2 mg/l or less

Outdoor bathing (organised) B 1. Total coliforms organism MPN/100 ml 500 or less 2. pH between 6.5 and 8.5 3. Dissolved oxygen 5 mg/l or more 4. Biochemical oxygen demand 5 days 20oC 3 mg/l or less

Drinking water source after conventional treatment and disinfection

C 1. Total coliforms organism MPN/100 ml 5,000 or less 2. pH between 6 to 9 3. Dissolved oxygen 4 mg/l or more 4. Biochemical oxygen demand 5 days 20oC 3 mg/l or less

Propagation of wildlife and fisheries

D 1. pH between 6.5 to 8.5 2. Dissolved oxygen 4 mg/l or more 3. Free ammonia (as N) 1.2 mg/l or less

Irrigation, industrial cooling, controlled waste disposal

E 1. pH between 6.0 to 8.5 2. Electrical conductivity at 25oC micro mhos/cm Max. 2,250 3. Sodium absorption ratio maximum 26 4. Boron maximum 2 mg/l

Below E Not meeting A, B, C, D and E criteria

oC = degrees celsius, mg = milligram, ml = milliliters, MPN = most probable number. Source: Central Pollution Control Board, Ministry of Environment and Forests.

Appendix 2 38

NATIONAL AMBIENT AIR QUALITY STANDARDS

Concentration in Ambient Air Pollutants Time-

weighted average

Industrial Areas

Residential, Rural and

Other Areas

Sensitive Areas

Method of Measurement

Annual Averagea

80 µg/m3 60 µg/m3 15 µg/m3 Improved West and Geake method Ultraviolet fluorescence

Sulphur Dioxide (SO2)

24 hoursb 120 µg/m3 80 µg/m3 30 µg/m3 Annual

Average a 80 µg/m3 60 µg/m3 15 µg/m3 Jacob and Hochheiser modified

(Na-Arsenite) method Oxides of Nitrogen as (NOx)

24 hours b 120 µg/m3 80 µg/m3 30 µg/m3 Gas phase chemiluminescence Annual

Average a 360 µg/m3 140 µg/m3 70 µg/m3 High volume sampling (average flow

rate not less than 1.1 m3/minute) Suspended Particulate Matter (SPM)

24 hours b 500 µg/m3 200 µg/m3 100 µg/m3 Annual

Average a 120 µg/m3 60 µg/m3 50 µg/m3 Respirable particulate matter

sampler Respirable Particulate Matter (RPM) (size less than 10 microns) 24 hours b 150 µg/m3 100 µg/m3 75 µg/m3

Annual Average a

1.0 µg/m3 0.75 µg/m3 0.50 µg/m3 ASS method after sampling using EPM 2000 or equivalent filter paper

Lead (Pb)

24 hours b 1.5 µg/m3 1.00 µg/m3 0.75 µg/m3 . Annual

Average a 0.1 mg/ m3 0.1 mg/ m3 0.1 mg/m3 . Ammonia 1

24 hours b 0.4 mg/ m3 0.4 mg/m3 0.4 mg/m3 . 8 hours b 5.0 mg/m3 2.0 mg/m3 1.0 mg/ m3 Non-dispersive infra red (NDIR) Carbon Monoxide (CO) 1 hour 10.0 mg/m3 4.0 mg/m3 2.0 mg/m3 Spectroscopy

mg = milligram, m = meter, µg/m3 = microgram per cubic meter a Annual arithmetic mean of minimum 104 measurements in a year taken twice a week 24 hourly at uniform

intervals. b 24-hour or 8 hour values should be met 98% of the time in a year. However, 2% of the time, these may be

exceeded but not on 2 consecutive days.

Source: Central Pollution Control Board, Ministry of Environment and Forests.

Appendix 3 39

COST OF MAIN ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT MITIGATION MEASURES

Table A3.1: Sipat STPP, Stage I and II

Cost (Rs million)

Item Stage I Stage II Total Electrostatic precipitator 1,527.1 471.0 1998.1 Chimney 612.0 291.5 903.5 Cooling tower 642.5 326.5 969.0 Ash handling civil works 405.0 335.0 740.0 Ash handling mechanical works including ash water recirculation

1,091.0 521.0 1,612.0

Ash dyke (first 9 years) 564.5 478.0 1,042.5 Effluent treatment plant 260.5 131.5 392.0 Dust extraction and suppression system 39.1 39.1 78.2 Control of fire and explosion hazards 290.5 186.0 476.5 Demineralizing plant waste treatment systems 12.2 12.2 24.4 Sewerage collection, treatment, and disposal 100.0 10.0 110.0 Environmental laboratory equipment 20.0 2.0 22.0 Rehabilitation and Resettlement 220.0 0 220.0 Green belt 15.0 0 15.0 Afforestation 8.0 0 8.0 Total 5,807.4 2,803.8 8,611.2

Rs = Indian rupee. Source: National Thermal Power Corporation Board approved financial cost estimate.

Table A3.2: Kahalgaon STPP, Stage II

Cost (Rs million)

Item Stage II, phase I

Stage II, phase II

Total

Electrostatic precipitator 849.90 424.95 1,274.85Chimney 295.00 193.00 488.00Cooling tower 358.50 187.50 546.00Ash handling civil works 270.00 201.00 471.00Ash handling mechanical works including ash water recirculation

913.50 543.00 1,456.50

Ash dyke (first 9 years) 636.00 324.50 960.50Effluent treatment plant 53.00 0.50 53.50Dust extraction and suppression system 39.10 6.49 45.59Control of fire and explosion hazards 120.00 32.00 152.00Demineralizing plant waste treatment systems 122.10 6.11 128.21Sewage collection, treatment, and disposal 10.00 5.00 15.00Environmental laboratory equipment 10.00 5.00 15.00 Total 3,677.10 1,929.05 5,606.15

Rs = Indian rupee. Source: National Thermal Power Corporation Board approved financial cost estimate.

Appendix 4 40

LIST OF REPRESENTATIVES, SIPAT STAGE II PUBLIC HEARING,

23 DECEMBER 2003

Name

Address

Additional Collector Bilaspur District (Collector Representative) Add. Superintending Engineer Chattisgarh State Electricity Board, Bilaspur Krishna Kumar Rathorn Sirpanch, Gram Panchayat, Rock Bhuvneshwar Yadava Vice Chairman, District Panchayat, Bilaspur Ram Narayana Shastri President, Bhartiya Jatayna Party, Bilaspur Joint Director Department of Town and Country Investment, Bilaspur Regional Officer Chattisgarh Environment Protection Board, Bilaspur Smt. Sima Devi Rai Member, District Panchayat, Jaji Sant Ram Resident, Kara village, Bilaspur Surendra Kumar Srivastava Ex-Sirpanch, Kauria village, Bilaspur

Note: The signatures of members of the public who attended the public hearing were also recorded. Source: Translation of Minutes of the Sipat Stage II Public Hearing, 23 December 2003.

Appendix 5 41

ATTENDEES AND PANEL MEMBERS, KAHALGAON STAGE II PUBLIC HEARINGS

Table A5.1: List of Attendees at the Public Hearing at Ganguli Park, Kahalgaon, 8 June 2000

No.

Name Address No. Name Address

1. Sampuran Singh Sarbudipur 37. Sanjay Kumar Address not indicated/clear 2. Sunil Kumar Choudhary Shyampur 38. S.N. Mishra Address not indicated/clear 3. Ramesh Kumar Pal Pubhagpur 39. V.K. Singh Address not indicated/clear 4. Ashok Kumar Sinha Bhagalpur 40. Niranjan Pal Address not indicated/clear 5. Om Prakash Yadav Kahalgaon 41. Basudio Yadav Address not indicated/clear 6. Rajesh Kumar Gahshagunda 42. Kailash Prd. Yadav Address not indicated/clear 7. Nirmal Mandal Kahalgaon 43. Ashok Singh Ekchari 8. Niranjan Kumar Address not indicated/clear 44. Gopal Mandal Kaulgai 9. Neeraj Kumar Singh Address not indicated/clear 45. Vishnu Dev Choudhary Bhagalpur 10. Arun Pandey Address not indicated/clear 46. Vimal Choudhary Address not indicated/clear 11. Yongendra kumar Address not indicated/clear 47. Krishan dev Mishra Address not indicated/clear 12. R.M. Shankar Address not indicated/clear 48. S.P. Pal Address not indicated/clear 13. Ajay Kumar Gahshagunda 49. Mannu Yadav Brahchari 14. Karpee Singh Village Khair, Kahalgaon 50. Kamlesh Pal Singh Address not indicated/clear 15. Surendra Prasad Singh Balahania, Kahalgaon 51. Vishnu Dev Sahu Maheshamunda 16. Anil Kumar Bhatti Kahalgaon 52. Alok Kumar Address not indicated/clear 17. Pappu Kumar Kahalgaon 53. Siyaram Prasad Bhagalpur 18. Niranjan Kumar Jauti 54. Anil Kumar Gupta Address not indicated/clear 19. Surya Mohan Singh Shaturdipur 55. Krishan Kumar Kahalgaon 20. Kailash Swarnkar Kahalgaon 56. Vipin Kumar Verma Lagmahar 21. R.K. Shukla Address not indicated/clear 57. Pranav Kumr Singh Kahalgaon 22. B. Bhagat Address not indicated/clear 58. Vinod Kumar Gupta Sadanadpur 23. A.K. Singh Address not indicated/clear 59. Arvind Kumar Singh Dyalpur 24. Ram Pradhan Singh Address not indicated/clear 60. Sanjay Singh Dyalpur 25. Bijoy Mandol Address not indicated/clear 61. Manoj Kahalgaon 26. S.D. Mandol Address not indicated/clear 62. Atmaram Yadav Soaur 27. Suresh Kumar Jha Address not indicated/clear 63. Nigam Kumar Singh Soaur 28. D. Singh Shaunathpur 64. Vidhya Nand Pandey Soaur 29. Om Prakash Singh Address not indicated/clear 65. Kamleshwari Khurhari 30. V. Maranti Address not indicated/clear 66. Pradeep Kumar Dixit Kadeshamunda 31. Sitharam Muhar Address not indicated/clear 67. Ram Prakash Ray Address not indicated/clear 32. Ashok Kumar Shyampur 68. N.K. Sharma Address not indicated/clear 33. Santosh Kumar Address not indicated/clear 69. J.P. Yadav Address not indicated/clear 34. Akshay Kumar Address not indicated/clear 70. Triloki Nath Satkar 35. K.P.Das Address not indicated/clear 71. Ranjan Kumar Address not indicated/clear 36. G.P. Sah Address not indicated/clear 72. Subhash Paswan Simsapur

Source: Translated list of attendees collected at the Public Hearing at Ganguli Park, Kahalgaon, 8 June 2000.

Table A5.2: List of Public Hearing Panel Members at the Public Hearing, Kahalgaon, 20 January 2000

Name

Address

Sitaram Karmakar Rampujan Singh Anil Kumar SDM, Kahalgaon Birender Kr. Mishra DCLR Ramesh Chander Sinha Secretary BSPCB Source: Translated list of Panel members for the Public Hearing at Ganguli Park, Kahalgaon, 8 June 2000.

Appendix 5 42

Table A5.3: List of Attendees at the Public Hearing at Inspection House, Kahalgaon, 25 September 2003

No.

Name Address No. Name Address

1. Jamuna Prasad Yadav Address not indicated/clear 62. Neeraj Kumar Ram Address not indicated/clear 2. Chandra Shekhar Singh Address not indicated/clear 63. Suresh Pd. Mandal Address not indicated/clear 3. S.N. Rao Address not indicated/clear 64. Ravindra Kumar Yadav Address not indicated/clear 4. Ram Varsha Singh Address not indicated/clear 65. Bipin Bihari Address not indicated/clear 5. Jai Prakash Singh Address not indicated/clear 66. Asit Kumar Choudhary Address not indicated/clear 6. Sitaram Kalakar Address not indicated/clear 67. Braham Dev Mandal Address not indicated/clear 7. S.P. Singh Address not indicated/clear 68. Anil Mandal Address not indicated/clear 8. A.K. Gupta Address not indicated/clear 69. Shali Gram Mandal Laelekh 9. Nand Kumar Address not indicated/clear 70. Sikandar Yadav Address not indicated/clear 10. Mh. Ijaul Kahalgaon 71. Purshottam Sharma Address not indicated/clear 11. Umesh Prasad Singh Member Jila Parishad,

Bhagalpur 72. Aseem Kumar Mishra Address not indicated/clear

12. Vijay Kumar Vijay, -Journist- Dainik Jagran

Kahalgaon 73. Umesh Kumar Singh Address not indicated/clear

13. Pawan Kumar Singh- Journist-Hindustan

Address not indicated/clear 74. Arvind Kumar Singh Address not indicated/clear

14. Ashok Kumar Sahai Address not indicated/clear 75. Beski Nath Yadav Address not indicated/clear 15. Jitendra Kumar Singh Address not indicated/clear 76. Kundan Address not indicated/clear 16. Sunil Kumar Chawla Address not indicated/clear 77. A.K. Yadav Address not indicated/clear 17. Satish Kumar Address not indicated/clear 78. Rajiv Kumar Singh Address not indicated/clear 18. Ranjeet Kumar Address not indicated/clear 79. Manoj Kumar Singh Address not indicated/clear 19. Mam Islam Address not indicated/clear 80. Rajendra Prasad Sahu Ekchari 20. Ramesh Chand Singh Address not indicated/clear 81. Abhinianja Kumar Arya Ekchari 21. Dhananjay Kumar Singh Address not indicated/clear 82. Abhimanu Kumar Ekchari 22. Mukesh Kumar Singh Address not indicated/clear 83. Saroj Singh Banjipurvel 23 P.C. Mishra Address not indicated/clear 84. Naresh Yadav Address not indicated/clear 24. Rajendra Yadav Address not indicated/clear 85. Pankaj Kumar Address not indicated/clear 25. Mohamad Mushtak Address not indicated/clear 86. Sarveshwar Prasad Kahalgaon-Kazipura 26. Shyam Sundar Address not indicated/clear 87. M.P. Rai Kahalgaon 27. Jay Prakash Singh Address not indicated/clear 88. Dilip Kumar Singh Kahalgaon 28. Ramesh Kumar Singh Address not indicated/clear 89. Saligram yadav Kahalgaon 29. Pawan Kumar Singh Address not indicated/clear 90. Jagat Kishor Yadav Kahalgaon 30. Suresh Ranjan Address not indicated/clear 91. Gopal Kumar Shukla Kahalgaon 31. Raj Kumar Singh Address not indicated/clear 92. Gopal Yadav Kahalgaon 32. K.D. Patinar Address not indicated/clear 93. Shashi Kant Yadav Kahalgaon 33. Kumar Ashutosh Address not indicated/clear 94. Binay Kumar yadav Canopattely 34. Shayam Sunder Singh Address not indicated/clear 95. Dharmedra Mandal Kalgiganj 35. Gauri Shankar Singh Address not indicated/clear 96. Ajay Kumar Address not indicated/clear 36. Manmohan Singh Address not indicated/clear 97. Niranjan Mandal Address not indicated/clear 37. Shankar Pal Yadav Address not indicated/clear 98. Praminder mandal Kahalgaon 38. Dinesh Prasad Yadav Address not indicated/clear 99. Ram Sundar Das Address not indicated/clear 39. Meer Masoor Address not indicated/clear 100. Chamak Lal Yadav Address not indicated/clear 40. Akhilesh Kumar Jha Address not indicated/clear 101. Nar Singh Kumar Address not indicated/clear 41. Harigun Mandal Address not indicated/clear 102. Subodh Hirani Bhalesar-Ekchari 42. Anil Kumar Gupta Address not indicated/clear 103. N.K. Ghosh Address not indicated/clear 43. Sudheer Kumar Address not indicated/clear 104. Umesh Mandal Kalgiganj 44. Arjun Pal Sada Address not indicated/clear 105. Ram Saran Yadav Kahalgaon 45. Pradeep Kumar

Mukherjee Address not indicated/clear 106. Jai Prakash Singh,

Member Ghannora Panchayat

46. M.M. Yadav Address not indicated/clear 107. Gopal Mandal Ghopalhora-Kahalgaon 47. Pankaj Kumar Address not indicated/clear 108. Anil Yadav Kahalgaon 48. R.P. Singh Address not indicated/clear 109. Balbir Thakur Jhana 49. Umesh Address not indicated/clear 110. Bhupendra Singh Kahalgaon 50. K. Mandal Address not indicated/clear 111. Saroj Kumar Brahmachari, Kahalgaon 51. V.D. Yadav Address not indicated/clear 112. Kumar nath Singh Bhagalpur- Kahalgaon 52. Lakshmi Prasad Address not indicated/clear 113. Satyendra Kumar Bhalesar-Ekchari

Appendix 5 43

No.

Name Address No. Name Address

Jayaswal 53. Mohmad Rasid Alam Address not indicated/clear 114. A. Adran Bhagalpur 54. Devendra Mandal Address not indicated/clear 115. B.P. Yadav Address not indicated/clear 55. Boodha Singh Address not indicated/clear 116. J.P. Yadav Address not indicated/clear 56. Jai Prakash Mandal Address not indicated/clear 117. K. Prasad Address not indicated/clear 57. Laxim Prasad Mandal Address not indicated/clear 118. Uday Kumar Singh Bhagalpu 58. Vinay Kumar Diwedi Address not indicated/clear 119. Shashi Kant Singh Address not indicated/clear 59. Shree Narayan Singh Address not indicated/clear 120. Digamber Raja Address not indicated/clear 60. Shiv Varat Mandal Vanshipur 121. Jagat Prasad Yadav Kahalgaon 61. Sushil Choudhary Address not indicated/clear

Source: Translated list of attendees collected at the Public Hearing at the Inspection House, Kahalgaon, 25 September 2003. .

Table A5.4: List of Public Hearing Panel Members at the Public Hearing,

Kahalgaon, 25 September 2003

No.

Name Address

1. Jai Prakash Singh, Mukhia Danshipur Village Panchayat 2. Sadhna Devi, Director, Nagar Parishad Kahalgaon 3. Representative of Jilladhikari Bhagalpur 4. Sitaram Kalakar, Sr. Citizen Kahalgaon 5. Raj Balabh Singh, Sr. Citizen Kahalgaon 6. Ram Charaj Singh, Sr. Citizen Kahalgaon 7. Member Secretary, BSPCB Bihar Rajya Pollution Nyantran Parishad 8. Secretary, BSPCB Bihar Rajya Pollution Nyantran Parishad

BSPCB = Bihar State Pollution Control Board, Sr. = senior Source: Translated list of Panel members for the Public Hearing at Kahalgaon, 25 September 2003.