Gujarat and coal

Introduction
With over 60 million people, the western state of Gujarat is the tenth most populous in India and would be the 24th most populous country in the world if it were independent, after Italy and ahead of South Africa. While Gujarat has some lignite deposits, most new coal plants planned for the state would use imported coal.

Proposed coal plants (table)
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Opposition to power plants
Opposition to new coal-fired power plants in Gujarat has occurred at a several locations.

February 2012: Opponents of Bhadreshwar power station (OPG) (Gujarat) prevail at National Green Tribunal
On February 8, 2012, the National Green Tribunal, a body created in 2010 to handle cases relating to environmental protection, directed that no construction activity should take place with respect to the plant until all approvals are obtained by the OPG Power Ventures, the sponsor of the project. Construction had begun at the site without the necessary approvals under the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980, and CRZ clearance. The construction had been challenged at the National Green Tribunal by fisherfolk, salpan workers, and local villagers. The halting of the project was an unusual event. According to Prayas Energy Group, "It is extremely rare for a thermal power plant (TPP) to have its environmental clearance rejected. In fact, not a single thermal power plant has been denied clearance by the MoEF from 2006 to July 2010...." The order of the National Green Tribunal can be found here. The order to stop construction of the plant attacted nationwide media attention, including the following stories:
 * "Green Tribunal flags rad for OPG's power plant," Indian Express, February 15, 2012
 * Piyali Mandal, "Green setback for OPG Power plant," Business Standard, February 15, 2012
 * "Green tribunal stops Gujarat power project," Hindustan Times, February 14, 2012
 * Gujarat News story, February 14, 2012 (in Gujarati)
 * Kutch Mitra Daily story, (in Gujarati)
 * "Stop OPG's power plant work at Mudra untill it gets environmental clearance: National Green Tribunal," The Economic Times, February 15, 2012
 * "Stop OPG's power plant work at Mudra, Gujarat: Green Tribunal," Deccan Chronicle, February 16, 2012

October 2010: Fisherfolk and salt pan workers rally against Adani Project (Gujarat)
On October 6, 2010, fisherfolk and salt pan workers in Kutch district spoke out in opposition to the Bhadreshwar Thermal Power Project (Adani), expressing concerns about the open cycle once-through cooling system due to the impacts of thermal pollution on marine ecology. According to the Bhadreshwar fishing community trade union, local communities in the vicinity of other coal plants on the Kutch coast have suffered from coal dust and fly ash especially during summer months due to arid conditions and the direction of wind towards land. Concerns include the effect of air pollution on fish drying and salt production, as well as on the famous Jain Vasai teerth, a pilgrimage destination for members of the Jain religion. Residents note that over 1,000 families are dependant on traditional fishing, and that the cumulative effects of multiple power plants have not been adequately considered. The trade union notes that the Adani Foundation has offered a compensation package to the fishing community but that the amount of the package (Rs.4 Crores) is a "lollipop," especially compared to the Rs.20 Crores of annula revenue from fishing on the Bhadreshwar coast.

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External resources

 * "Move Beyond Coal, Now! Voices from the front lines of the global struggle," Sierra Club, 2011

Coal terminals in Gujarat (map)
Gujarat has three main coal terminals, shown on the map below.