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Proposed Location

This map shows the geotagged boundary of the proposed 1600 MW coal-based Mirzapur thermal power plant by Adani Group overlapped with the map of proposed Sloth Bear Conservation Reserve, the Kaimoor Wildlife Sanctuary and Chandraprabha Wildlife Sanctuary. Click here to download the kml file of the project site sourced from MoEFCC, GoI. 

 

Important Links

1600 MW Mirzapur Thermal Energy Project Resource Page by Adani Power (Formerly Welspun Energy)

Adani's (Formerly Welspun) Proposed 1600 MW Mirzapur Thermal Power Plant- Resource Page

Details
Written by: Vindhya Bachao Desk
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The proposed 1600 MW coal-based thermal power plant by Mirzapur Energy (U.P.) Pvt. Ltd., a subsidiary of the Adani Group, has faced ongoing legal and environmental challenges. The project site, surrounded by 10 Reserve Forests, was initially granted Environmental Clearance (EC) in 2014 for a 1320 MW plant under M/s Welspun Energy Pvt. Ltd. However, the National Green Tribunal (NGT), in a landmark 2016 judgment, set aside the EC, citing environmental concerns, 'tainted EIA process' and ordering site restoration. 

Following multiple failed attempts to revive the project, Adani Group took over the site, but large-scale vegetation clearance and illegal construction activities were reported in mid-2024. In response, the NGT took suo motu cognizance of media reports, while petitioners filed an Execution Application citing contempt of its 2016 ruling. Despite the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) confirming that no fresh EC had been granted, reports from the Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board (UPPCB) in late 2024 confirmed unauthorized land levelling, boundary wall construction, and other preparatory activities. The petitioners maintain that the project site is also a forest land and critical wildlife habitat (also part of a proposed Sloth Bear Conservation Reserve) which the company has disputed saying no forest land and wildlife habitat is disturbed by their proposed project.

Petitioners, who are members of Vindhya Bachao argue that these violations are an attempt to create a "fait accompli" situation. With the project’s legality under scrutiny, the NGT has scheduled the next hearing for 23 May 2025 to hear the alleged violations and pass further directions. This page is a work in progress and information will be updated as and when we have updates.

Updates Since 21 December 2016 

National Green Tribunal Updates
  • An Execution Application 29/2024 (and Interlocutory Application 110/2025 later) was filed in the National Green Tribunal's Principal Bench in August 2024. 
  • A Suo Motu Original Application 883/2024 based on an article in Hindustan Times is also initiated by the National Green Tribunal's principal Bench in July 2024.
Click here to access orders, copy of petitions, and replies filed by Respondents: R-1 Mirzapur Thermal Energy (U.P.) Pvt Ltd (Adani); R-2 State of Uttar Pradesh; R-3 Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change.  blinking new
Status of Environmental Approvals
  • A fresh Environmental Clearance (permission under EIA Notification, 2006) is currently pending with MoEFCC with file no. J-13012/12/2011-IA.II (T). As per the Parivesh portal by MoEFCC, the project is granted Terms of Reference for undertaking EIA studies on 29 July 2024. Click here to download the ToR.
  • The previous Forest Clearance (permission under Forest Conservation Act, 1980) with file no. (FP/UP/THE/14236/2015) for approach road and water pipeline is not accessible via Parivesh portal as on 01 April 2024. A new Forest Clearance application is presently showing as pending for Stage-I clearance on Parivesh portal with file no. FP/UP/OTHERS/470227/2024 for the approach road.
Important Wildlife Studies involving the Proposed Project Site
Representations by Vindhya Bachao
  1. Representation to the Authorities Concerned Regarding the Illegal Public Hearing Conducted by Mirzapur Thermal Energy (U.P.) Pvt. Ltd. on 11 April 2025, in Violation of the EIA Notification, 2006 dated 11 April 2025 blinking new
  2. Representation to Secretary, MoEFCC Reg 'Request for urgent intervention regarding serious and grave violation of Van (Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan) Adhiniyam, 1980 in Mirzapur Forest Division of Uttar Pradesh and severe damage to environment, forest and wildlife' dated 28 June 2024
  3. Representation to Chief Conservator of Forests- Mirzapur on Damage to the forest land by constructing illegal approach road in Marihan Forest Range (Mirzapur Forest Division) towards the proposed site of M/s Mirzapur Energy (U.P.) Pvt Ltd in village Dadri Khurd, District Mirzapur (U.P.) dated 24th January 2023
  4. Representation to Secretary, MoEFCC on recommendation of ‘Amendment in Environmental Clearance’ by EAC-Thermal- in violation of Judgment of National Green Tribunal dated 24 June 2019
  5. Representation to Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC)-Thermal of MoEFCC reg. Appraisal on ‘Amendment in Environmental Clearance’ dated 06 September 2017

  6. Representation to Forest & Wildlife Department, U.P. to reject Forest Clearance of the project dated 26th December 2016

A Review Petition filed by the company Welspun Energy (U.P.) Pvt Ltd against the 21 December 2016 judgment was dismissed on 01 May 2017 and a subsequent Appeal in Supreme Court was also withdrawn by the company on 22 September 2017.

Till 21 December 2016

The Environment Clearance granted to the 1320 MW Coal Based Thermal Power Plant is set aside by National Green Tribunal, Principal Bench, New Delhi in its judgment dated 21st December, 2016 in a matter petitioned by Vindhya Bachao members Debadityo Sinha (environmentalist), Shiva Kumar Upadhyaya (journalist) and Mukesh Kumar (student of Banaras Hindu University) in Appeal No. 79/2014 Debadityo Sinha & Ors V Union of India & Ors.

The court has also asked the project proponent to restore the area and halt any developmental work of the project. Read Judgment | Press Release in English, प्रेस विज्ञप्ति हिंदी में  

For all related orders kindly visit http://vindhyabachao.org/welspun/ngt. Following are documentations related to that case.

Representations by Vindhya Bachao 

  1. Representation to Principal Chief Conservator of Forests-Uttar Pradesh regarding Forest Clearance dated 8th April, 2016 Click Here  
  2. Representation to Secretary, Ministry of Environment and Forests dated 29th April, 2014. Click Here 
  3. Representation to Vice Chancellor, BHU demanding probe into the 'meeting held between few faculty members of BHU and the project proponent dated 8th March, 2014 and 10th March, 2014. Click to download i) Main Letter  ii) Annexure A  iii) Annexure B   iv) Annexure C
  4. Vindhya Bachao's Representation to Expert Appraisal Committee, Ministry of Enviornment and Forests dated 9th March, 2014 with pointwise comments on response submitted by Welspun Energy U.P. Pvt. Ltd. Click Here
  5. Representation to Vice Chancellor, Banaras Hindu University, dated 20th February, 2014 Click Here
  6. Representation to Expert Appraisal Committee vide Email dated 15.12.2013
  7. Representation to Expert Appraisal Committee vide Email dated 15.11.2013
  8. Representation to Expert Appraisal Committee vide Email dated 17.09.2013

 Publications by Vindhya Bachao 

  1. Geospatial Technology In Environmental Impact Assessments – Retrospective by Dr. Laxmi Goparaju, Present Environment and Sustainable Development, October, 2015 Full Paper
  2. Site Inspection Report dated 15.09.2013, Updated 12th November, 2013 Full Report
  3. Analysis on Water related issues of Welspun's Mirzapur Thermal Power Plant, published in SANDRP, March, 2013 Click Here

 Representations by Banaras Hindu University 

  1. Banaras Hindu University's Representation to MoEF, dated 18th September, 2013 Click Here
  2. BHU Student's Petition: Signatures of 554 students of RGSC. Click Here

 Submissions made by Welspun Energy 

  1. Pointwise Reply to Vindhya Bachao Report by Welspun -Received 15th February, 2014 (1.4 MB)

  2. Full EIA Report by J.M. Environet Pvt. Ltd. (65 MB)  [Download from MoEF website]

  3. Public Hearing Document by project proponent (13 MB)  [Download from MoEF website] Video recording of the Public Hearing on YouTube

  4. Questionnaire for Environmental Appraisal by J.M. Environet Pvt. Ltd. (25 MB)  [Download from MoEF website]

  5. Area Drainage Study by WAPCOS (339 KB)  [Download from MoEF website]

  6. Need Assessment Study by project proponent (3.81 MB)  [Download from MoEF website]

  7. Final Executive Summary (934 KB)  [Download from MoEF website]

  8. MoEF Clarifications (based on reply by Welspun dated 24th April, 2013)- 

    Clarifications related to EAC
    Water Related
    Coal Supply Related
    Power Purchase Agreement
    MoU with Dhamra Port
    Details of Land Records
    Complains against Company and clarifications
    Cases related to Electricity Regulatory Commission
    Railways Clearance Related

  9. Reply to MoEF Clarification dated 11th February, 2014 

Clearances Granted by Central Government

  1. Previous Environment Clearance granted by Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change dated 21.08.2014. Click Here [Was set aside by NGT on 21.12.2016]
  2. Clearance Letter from Central Water Commission dated 12.10.2011 (84 KB) 

Minutes of Expert Appraisal Committee-MoEF 

1. EAC Meeting- March, 2013  [Download from MoEF website]

2. EAC Meeting- November, 2013  [Download from MoEF website]

3. EAC Meeting- March, 2014  [Download from MoEF website]

 Download few selected old photographs click here

Find Articles by Topics

Human-Wildlife Interaction 354 Crocodile 104 Flora 75 Biodiversity & Wildlife 72 Uttar Pradesh 68 Forest 62 Scientific Publications 55 Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change 44 Leopard 43 Snake 38 Welspun Energy 37 National Green Tribunal 29 Coal & Thermal Power 28 Press Release 27 Sloth Bear 27 forest fire 26 Kanhar 25 Campaign 24 Poaching 22 Litigation 19

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