During the hearing on the Flue Gas Desulfurizer Project (FGD) being installed at Koradi Thermal Power Station (KTPS), the Nagpur bench of Bombay High Court directed MahaGenco to provide a copy of the work order and agreement for the FGD with Shapoorji Pallonji Company to the petitioner. Earlier, MahaGenco’s counsel had flatly refused to provide the details and cited concerns about the violation of secrecy and potential threats to the villages. However, after reviewing the documents, Justice Nitin Sambre and Justice Vrushali Joshi stated that they had examined the contract details and found no violation of secrecy or threats to the villagers.

 

They directed MahaGenco to provide the contract copy of the work order and agreement for the FGD to the petitioner within two weeks. The High Court also ordered the Central Government’s Environment Department to submit an affidavit about the project within two weeks. The petition was filed over the concerns about the establishment of the FGD project, which aims to curb pollution from three units at KTPS. The High Court had previously questioned the decision regarding this project in June 2023. MahaGenco’s counsel informed the court that a Rs 1,340 crore work order had been issued on November 16, 2023, for the establishment of the FGD project by Shapoorji Pallonji Company for units 8, 9, and 10.

 

The Environment Department of the Central Government granted permission for the project on January 4, 2010. Meanwhile, a public hearing was held on May 29, 2023, regarding the power plant’s expansion. However, the petitioners argue that citizens’ complaints were ignored during this hearing and have demanded a fresh public hearing. The petitioners, including Dinesh Naidu of Vidarbha Connect NGO, scientist Dr. Sharad Pawar, and retired MSEDCL director Anil Palamwar, claimed that the hearing was flawed, as many citizens were not given the opportunity to voice their opposition to the 660 MW expansion project due to extreme heat on that day. Adv. Tushar Mandlekar represented the petitioners, while Adv. Mohit Khajanji represented MahaGenco.