Torrent Power gets ToR nod for 1,600 MW Chhattisgarh coal plant
The Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) for Thermal Projects under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) has recommended the grant of Terms of Reference (ToR) for Torrent Power Limited’s proposed 1,600 MW ultra super-critical coal-fired thermal power project in Raigarh district, Chhattisgarh.
The recommendation was made during the EAC’s 47th meeting held on July 10, 2026. The greenfield project, comprising two units of 800 MW each, is estimated to cost Rs 22,915 crore and is proposed across Charbhatha, Kashichua, Deori, Dumarpali and Lebra villages.
Project site
Torrent Power has proposed developing the thermal power plant over 312.47 hectares. This includes 237.75 hectares of private land, 40.075 hectares of government lease land and 34.645 hectares of revenue forest land.
The presence of revenue forest land will require a separate Forest Clearance, for which the company has already initiated the process.
The project site is located at an elevation ranging from 237 to 255 metres above mean sea level. While there is no major habitation within the project site, several villages are located within a 2 km radius. Deori is around 0.087 km from the site, while Charbhatha is about 0.23 km away.
Water and coal
The proposed plant will require approximately 72,456 m³ of water per day, which is planned to be sourced from the Mahanadi River through the Saradih barrage. Torrent Power has received a recommendation for water allocation from the Chhattisgarh government.
Annual coal requirement is estimated at around 8.2 Million Tonnes Per Annum (MTPA). The fuel is expected to be sourced from nearby commercial coal mines of Mahanadi Coalfields Limited (MCL) and transported to the project by railway wagons.
The project proposal also envisages drawing around 5 MW of power from the nearest substation for auxiliary consumption.
Environmental conditions
While recommending the ToR, the EAC prescribed several project-specific studies and measures that Torrent Power will have to address through its detailed Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) and Environment Management Plan (EMP).
Ash management was among the areas examined by the committee. Torrent Power has proposed a 48-hectare ash pond with High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) lining and a 10-metre-high dyke. The EAC asked the company to examine whether the ash pond area can be reduced so that additional land can be made available for greenbelt development.
The committee also directed Torrent Power to submit an action plan for shifting from the proposed lean slurry system to a High Concentration Slurry Disposal (HCSD) system for ash disposal.
For air pollution control, the project envisages Electrostatic Precipitators (ESP), Low NOx burners and a 275-metre-high chimney. The EAC directed the company to ensure compliance with the new SOâ‚‚ emission norms notified by the ministry.
Greenbelt plan
Torrent Power has proposed developing a greenbelt over 74 hectares, representing approximately 26% of the project area.
The plan includes a 50-metre-wide, three-tiered greenbelt along the plant boundary. Around 1.85 lakh saplings are proposed to be planted over five years.
The EAC’s direction to examine a reduction in the proposed ash pond area is also linked to increasing the land available for green cover.
Water and ecology
The committee sought additional assessment of the project’s potential impact on nearby water bodies. Ramjhanan Nala is around 0.4 km from the project boundary, Doliva Nala is 0.9 km away, and the Mand River is located at a distance of around 1.2 km.
Torrent Power will be required to conduct site-specific hydrological studies and prepare watershed management plans as part of the environmental assessment. The EAC has also called for a biodiversity study focusing on aquatic life in the Mahanadi and Mand rivers.
Supreme Court case
The project site has a legal history linked to an earlier thermal power proposal. The land was previously acquired by Visa Power Limited for a similar project that was not implemented. Following liquidation proceedings against Visa Power under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC), Torrent Power acquired the land through an auction in September 2025.
A dispute involving Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL), which had supplied equipment to the previous owner, and the liquidator remains pending before the Supreme Court under Civil Appeal no. 3399/2020.
Taking note of the litigation, the EAC directed Torrent Power to “abide by the judgment of the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India and till then no disturbance to be done with the disputed structures situated in the premises.”
The company will also have to include a dedicated chapter in the EIA report covering the Supreme Court’s directions and its proposed measures for complying with them.
Next steps
The ToR recommendation establishes the scope and conditions for the environmental studies that must be completed before the project can be considered for Environment Clearance.
Torrent Power will now have to undertake the detailed EIA and prepare the EMP incorporating the conditions prescribed by the EAC. The environmental appraisal process will subsequently include public consultation, after which the proposal can return to the committee for consideration of Environment Clearance.
The featured photograph is for representation only.
