Govt plans public meet for N-plant in Jaitapur

The state government will hold a public meeting in Jaitapur (in Ratnagiri district) on May 16 to discuss the environmental repercussions of the controversial nuclear power project proposed for the town.

The Union environment ministry will take into account the suggestions and objections raised in the meeting before giving clearance to the project.

Sachin Ahir, minister of state for urban development, made this announcement in legislative council on Thursday. He was replying to a query raised on the issue by Shiv Sena’s Parshuram Uparkar.
The local residents, who have been opposing the project, allege that the project will affect the ecosystem and pollute the seawater.
“The Nuclear Power Corporation of India has applied to the state government for a public hearing at Jaitapur on May 16. The Ratnagiri Zilha Jagruk Manch and others have filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in the high court against the project,” Ahir said.

He also said that the mining projects going on in Raigad, Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg also need to have environmental clearance from the authorities concerned. At present, 19 mines are functioning in these districts and 10 more have been proposed.

Ahir also informed the House that the Union environment ministry has appointed a committee under scientist Madhavrao Gadgil to suggest the measures to preserve environment and ecosystem in the western ghat.

The committee, appointed in March, has been told to submit its report in six months, Ahir said.