Indirapuram residents protest felling of trees to make way for power plant

Alok Bhatnagar,a resident of the Gaur Green City,located beside the proposed power plant,said,“There is no reason to build the power plant in the green belt. The cutting of the trees will adversely affect the ecology. Several birds,which used to come here before,have disappeared. Further,Gaur Green City is very close to the proposed sub-station. A plant next to a residential colony poses health hazards.”

In their petition to the NGT,the citizens cited violations of the Environment Protection Act.

The petition says,“The land use under the Ghaziabad Master Plan 2021 still says green belt. Further,there is also serious violation of Environment (Protection Act,1986 due to hazardous electro-magnetic radiation emitted by high voltage power sub-stations. Closer distances to power sub-stations generally mean higher electro magnetic fields exposures.”

Taking cognisance of the issue,the NGT,in an order dated July 24 said,“Prima facie,a case is made out for an exparte interim stay on the project. Satus quo is to be maintained till further orders are passed in the matter.” The Tribunal has asked the GDA to reply before August 24.

“On May 16,we spoke to the GDA about the issue. But we were told that there was no other place in Indirapuram for the sub-station,” another resident said.

An official of the GDA said,“It is true that we have received a direction from the NGT and are working on the reply. There was no other space for constructing such a large sub-station. We will make our case before the tribunal. All construction in the area,which began on May 1,has been stopped.”