Sena rally Friday to protest Tata Power coal-run plant

“It will pose a grave threat to citizens already suffering from respiratory infections because of the Deonar dumping ground,the chemical fertilizer factory and the oil refineries in the area,” said senior Sena leader Subhash Desai.

Doctors Prakash Shendge,Jitendra B B,Satish Puranik and Arvind Kolekar,who practise in the vicinity,have written to the state environment ministry and Maharashtra Pollution Control Board objecting to the plant.

At a public hearing held by the office of the suburban collector of Mumbai and MPCB in January,Tata Power was asked to reveal how it planned to solve the pollution problem.

The company issued a statement that the modernisation would in fact reduce pollution in the area.

“The company would like to reassure all stakeholders that their concerns about pollution and ash disposal have been addressed effectively and there will be no emissions beyond controlled levels. The proposed modernisation will help in providing cheaper,reliable and uninterrupted power supply to Mumbai customers,” it said.

The company said Tuesday: “Tata Power awaits MoEF clearance for its Trombay unit 6 modernisation. Tata Power has proposed to invest Rs 1,000 crore in modernising its unit 6 at Trombay Thermal Power Station with the objective of improving availability of reliable,low-cost and environmentally responsible power to consumers in Mumbai. The modernisation includes proposed use of imported coal which will not only facilitate complete utilisation of installed capacity but also lower fuel cost,resulting in lower tariffs for Mumbai consumers. The proposal ensures strict adherence to prescribed environment norms which include addition of suitable coal-firing equipment to burn imported coal with the installation of 100% fuel gas desulphurization and electrostatic precipitator systems to meet SO2 and PM emission limits.”