The task force on power in Orissa has approved the change in site of Tata Power's 2,000 MW coal-based generating station, from the original location at Naraj in Cuttack district, to Begunia, in Khurda district.
Since the original site at Naraj was in the vicinity of the Chandaka-Dampara wildlife sanctuary, Tata Power was forced to shift location due to environmental concerns. The new site measures about 975 acre and is split into two plots.
The plant site at Naraj was only 1.5 km from Chandaka-Dampada wildlife sanctuary. And wildlife clearance is mandatory for any project which is located within a 10 km radius of a national park or sanctuary.
Though Tata Power had signed an MoU with the state government in September 2006, work on the project is yet to commence due to environment concerns.
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