No green clearance yet for Odisha mega power project.

The Ministry of Environment and Forests has deferred the grant of environmental clearance to the 4,000-MW ultra mega power project (UMPP) at Bhedabahal in Odisha.

The delay in environmental nod would delay the commissioning of the power plant and development of the attached mine to source coal.

Nine power developers - Jindal Steel and Power Ltd. (JSPL), Tata Power, NTPC, Adani Power, JSW, Sterlite Inventure, CLP India, Larsen & Toubro and NHPC - have bid for the project. The winner is expected to be announced on February 26.

On January 21, the Expert Appraisal Committee on environmental impact assessment of thermal power and coal mine projects deferred the proposal, as details on water balance and availability as well as details of rehabilitation and resettlement were not submitted, a senior Ministry official told Business Line.

HBL