Home / Environment / Green Tribunal Halts Thermal Plant Construction Over Permit
Green Tribunal Halts Thermal Plant Construction Over Permit
10 Jul
Summary
- Thermal power plant construction stopped for four weeks by NGT.
- Project lacks a valid Environmental Clearance, NGT noted.
- Further hearing on the thermal power plant case scheduled for August 10.
Construction activity for the 2x660 MW Ennore SEZ Thermal Power Plant in Tamil Nadu has been temporarily suspended for four weeks by the National Green Tribunal's Southern bench. The tribunal issued an interim order, restraining the Tamil Nadu Green Energy Corporation from continuing any construction related to the project due to a lack of valid Environmental Clearance (EC).
During a hearing on July 10, 2026, the Tribunal noted that the project proponent had not obtained a necessary EC, which had expired. While acknowledging a Union Ministry Office Memorandum that could potentially extend the EC's validity under specific circumstances, the bench observed that no such extension had been sought by the proponent. Consequently, construction proceeded without a valid permit.
The NGT has scheduled a further hearing for August 10, 2026. The petition also includes allegations concerning environmental damage to the Ennore backwaters and the destruction of fishing areas linked to the project's construction.
