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The Nellore Municipal Corporation has told the National Green Tribunal (NGT) that the Krishnapatnam Industrial Node does not fall within its jurisdiction, and therefore, it cannot take remedial measures to restore groundwater levels in the area.
In its report to the NGT on February 24, 2025, the municipal corporation mentioned that the Krishnapatnam Edible Oils Refiners Association had approached it for doorstep water supply. In response, on March 3, 2022, the Municipal Corporation informed the association that a payment of Rs 30 crores was required, payable to the Commissioner, Nellore Municipal Corporation, to initiate the execution of a water supply pipeline from the Padarupalli reservoir.
However, the Krishnapatnam Edible Oils Refiners Association neither responded nor deposited the required amount. As a result, the pipeline implementation has not taken place to date.
The report further noted that, apart from the Edible Oils Refiners Association, other industries located within the Krishnapatnam Industrial Node have also requested doorstep water supply. Considering these requests, a preliminary report was prepared, estimating the project cost at Rs 107 crores.
This estimation is based on sourcing water from the Penna Head Water Works, which is 44.87 kilometres away. However, no company situated within the Krishnapatnam Industrial Node has approached the Municipal Corporation “by showing readiness and willing to get water supply to their door step by depositing the amount required to implement’ the project.
The Andhra Pradesh Pollution Control Board has issued directives to the Dr Narla Tata Rao Thermal Power Station to implement pollution control measures and comply with prescribed air and water quality standards. This was stated in the report filed by the State Pollution Control Board to the NGT on February 22, 2025.
Dr Narla Tatarao Thermal Power Station, a thermal power plant located in Ibrahimpatnam, NTR district, has a total electricity generation capacity of 2,560 megawatts.
On January 10, 2025, the SPCB directed the industry to submit a detailed action plan, along with budgetary estimates, for rectifying environmental violations within three months. The industry submitted its action plan on January 27, 2025. It informed that the Andhra Pradesh Power Generation Corporation Ltd (APGENCO) management had sanctioned Rs 10 crore on December 6, 2023 to control Suspended Particulate Matter, rectify Electrostatic Precipitator fields, and undertake other related works.
Additionally, an extra budget of Rs 18 crore was sanctioned on April 1, 2024 to enhance the performance of existing ESPs, improve fly ash evacuation systems, and strengthen the ash handling system. APGENCO Ltd has also requested Singareni Collieries Company to supply high-grade coal.
Furthermore, APGENCO sanctioned Rs 31 crore on December 16, 2024 for implementing air pollution control measures. The industry submitted a time-bound action plan for rectifying pollution control systems and improving ESP performance. It also reported that the annual overhaul for the 2024-25 period has been completed for Units V, VI, and VII, and that leakages from ESP hoppers have been addressed.
Additionally, work orders and purchase orders have been issued for strengthening the ash handling and fly ash evacuation systems and improving ESP performance. According to the action plan, minor works are expected to be completed by March 31, 2025. The industry has already commenced rectification works to control pollution.