EAC backs 2,400 MW Adani Power project in Bihar

The Expert Appraisal Committee for Thermal Projects has recommended environmental clearance for Adani Power Limited’s 2,400 MW coal-based ultra super critical project in Bhagalpur district, Bihar.  

The project will be developed at Pirpainti block across seven villages, Simatpur, Mariakol, Mundwa urf Tundwa, Sundarpur, Mayanagar, Pirpainti and Raipur, over 479 hectares allotted by the Bihar State Power Generation Company Limited. It will comprise three units of 800 MW each using ultra supercritical technology, with an estimated cost of Rs 28,225 crore, including Rs 1,908 crore for environmental measures.

Coal requirement is estimated at 9.67 million tonnes per annum, with sulphur content below 0.5%, to be transported entirely by rail. Water requirement stands at 115,200 cubic metres per day, sourced from the Ganga River, with specific consumption below 2.5 cubic metres per MWh. The plant is designed to operate under zero liquid discharge norms.

A public hearing was conducted on January 29, 2026. The company has committed Rs 42 crore under Corporate Environment Responsibility to be deployed over five years for primary and community health centre upgrades, plantation, and water body rejuvenation within a 5 km radius. 

The clearance includes detailed conditions. The project is required to achieve 100% ash utilisation, with the ash pond limited to 46 hectares. Any diversion of the Singhia nallah will require approval from the state water resources department, and the site cannot encroach on the Marganga river floodplain.

The committee has directed the installation of high-efficiency electrostatic precipitators, road sweeping systems, and fog cannons for nearby villages, with Rs 2.25 crore allocated for these measures. An additional Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Station will be set up at the point of maximum ground level concentration in consultation with the Bihar State Pollution Control Board.

Greenbelt development covering 124 hectares, or 25.88% of the project area, has been specified, with a three-tier plantation ranging from 5 to 50 metres along the boundary. The company will distribute 50,000 saplings annually for five years and install a 4 MW solar plant within two years.

Given elephant movement in the area, a wildlife conservation plan will be prepared and approved by the Chief Wildlife Warden. Epidemiological studies of the local population will be conducted every two years.  

The featured photograph is for representation only.