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Legal Data by
Edited by
Updated by
Published on
September 2, 2016
September 2, 2016
Updated on
September 2, 2016
Sahara India Power Corpation, in partnership with Korea East- West Power, planned to set up a 1,320 MW coal-based thermal power plant in Titlagarh in Odisha's Balangir district. The company had signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Government of Odisha on February 7, 2009, and also a supplementary MoU on April 9, 2010, for a change of site from Tusra to Titliagarh tehsil after the original site was found to be unsuitable.
The company decided to set up two 660 MW super critical units at a cost of Rs 8,000 crore. Of the total 812.25 acres needed for the project, 510.73 acres had already been acquired. After the Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) for the project was completed, they submitted an application for the grant of a final environment clearance for the power plant to the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF).
The construction of the proposed thermal power plant generated considerable anxiety within the local community, especially those engaged in farming. They have regularly opposed it since 2009. The President of Sahara Power Bistapan Birodhi Mancha, a community movement opposing the power plant, Balakrushna Shendh, believes that apart from displacing people from their farmlands and disrupting their daily subsistence, the project will also make the villages warmer. Titlagarh is known to record rather high temperatures in the summer. He also adds that it will impact the lives and health of the local community. The company would need to acquire around 600 acres of private land, he said. In 2015, petitioners approached the Odisha High Court against land acquisition for the project. The Court, however, upheld the land acquisition in December the same year (see Main Reasoning/Decision of the Court).
In 2018, the Sahara Power Plant Corporation announced its plan to scrap the 1320mw thermal plant project and instead proceed with a 200mw solar and wind power plant in the area. LCW had reached out to Shri Mahajan Manoj Satyawan, Sub Collector, Titilagarh, in April, 2021 for a response. He informed LCW that he was unable to provide any relevant information at the moment.
Refusal to give up land for the project
Opposition against environmental degradation
Rural
Both
Non-Forest (Other than Grazing Land)
Total investment involved (in Crores):
₹
8000
Type of investment:
Investment Made
Year of Estimation
Page Number In Investment Document:
Has the Conflict Ended?
No
When did it end?
Why did the conflict end?
Categories of Legislations Involved in the Conflict
Legislations/Policies Involved
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Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
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Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Whether claims/objections were made as per procedure in the relevant statute
What was the claim(s)/objection(s) raised by the community?
What was the Decision of the Concerned Government Department?
Legal Processes and Loopholes Enabling the Conflict:
Violation of environmental laws
Violation of free prior informed consent
Controversial land acquisition by the government
Non-implementation/violation of LARR Act
Legal Status:
In Court
Status of Case In Court
Disposed
Whether any adjudicatory body was approached
No
Name of the adjudicatory body
Name(s) of the Court(s)
Orissa High Court
Case Number
W.P. (C) NO.S.10431 of 2012
Main Reasoning/Decision of court
Major Human Rights Violations Related to the Conflict:
Whether criminal law was used against protestors:
Yes
Reported Details of the Violation:
Date of Violation
Location of Violation
Nature of Protest
Campaigns (grassroots organisations/press releases/media)
Protests/marches
Government Departments Involved in the Conflict:
The Odisha Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation
PSUs Involved in the Conflict:
Did LCW Approach Government Authorities for Comments?
Name, Designation and Comment of the Government Authorities Approached
Corporate Parties Involved in the Conflict:
Sahara India Power Corporation Limited
Did LCW Approach Corporate Parties for Comments?
Communities/Local Organisations in the Conflict:
Residents of Ghantbaahali, Luthurbandh Pudapadar, Saagunmunda Mahada, Jamojore
Image Credit:
Image Credit: