109.38 Ha ash pond land acquisition underway for Odisha power plant expansion

The project aims to increase the total generation capacity from 1740 MW to 3060 MW.

Who it concerns: The project proponent is M/s. Odisha Power Generation Corporation Limited (OPGCL). The clearance is being processed by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC), specifically the IA Division.

Conditions and facts

• Clearance Status: Fresh Environmental Clearance (EC) application under Category A of the EIA Notification 2006.
• Capacity: Addition of 2x660 MW (1320 MW) to the existing 1740 MW plant.
• Land: No additional land is required for the main plant area; the expansion uses existing available land of 60.703 Ha.
• Ash Pond: A new 109.38 Ha ash pond is proposed for Stage-III, located 7 km from the plant area; 34.78 Ha of this is earmarked for greenbelt development.
• Ash Pipeline: A 5.69 Ha right-of-way corridor is proposed for the Stage-III ash pipeline.
• Emissions: A 275m twin-flue stack is planned for the new units; FGD installation for existing Stage-II units is 90% complete and expected to be commissioned by 31.12.2026.
• Compliance: The proponent reported 6 partially complied conditions from the previous EC; 5 are now stated as complied, and 1 remains partially complied.

Also in the document

• The project site is in close proximity to sensitive receptors, including schools (e.g., DAV Public School at 1 km) and hospitals (e.g., ITPS Hospital at 1.5 km).
• The document notes that the Stage-III ash pond land (109.38 Ha) is currently under the process of acquisition by IDCO, with administrative approval accorded by the Odisha Energy Department on 29/04/2026.