Mon Dec 09 19:27:04 UTC 2024: ## Ennore Power Plant Expansion Faces Renewed Opposition Amidst Public Hearing
**Chennai, December 10, 2024** – Concerns are mounting over the proposed expansion of the Tangedco Ennore Thermal Power Station (ETPS) as a public hearing, scheduled for December 20 by the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB), approaches. Residents and environmentalists are vehemently opposing the 660-MW expansion, citing significant health and environmental risks.
The project’s proposed location, near a 30,000-strong housing colony in already heavily polluted Ennore, violates environmental regulations prohibiting such proximity to residential areas. The expansion has faced numerous delays, including a suspension of environmental clearance by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) in 2021 due to the lack of a public hearing.
Critics highlight the project’s potential encroachment on vital wetlands, including the Kosasthalaiyar River and Ennore Creek, crucial habitats for migratory birds, mangroves, and oyster reefs, and supporting local fishing communities. Local resident R.L. Srinivasan points to the existing power plants’ detrimental impact on air quality and fish stocks, fearing further degradation with the expansion.
A 2022 study revealed a disturbingly high prevalence (63%) of respiratory symptoms among children under five in the area, significantly exceeding national averages. Researcher S. Vishvaja warns that the expansion, even with emission control measures, will exacerbate this situation, adding that the local airshed’s capacity for PM10 is already overwhelmed.
Environmental groups argue that the expansion contradicts Chennai’s urgent need to address climate change vulnerabilities. The public hearing on December 20 is expected to be a focal point for the ongoing debate surrounding the project’s future.
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