Parliament Question: Environmental Impact Assessment

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA DEPARTMENT OF ATOMIC ENERGY LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-905 ANSWERED ON 04.02.2026 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT

905. SHRI RAMBHUAL NISHAD

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:-

(a) whether the Government has made any Environmental Impact Assessment of the Gorakhpur Nuclear Power Plant on the local water supply for drinking and irrigation with respect to water sourcing and downstream impact, potential pollution and impact on local livelihoods;

(b) if so, the details thereof including points of contention and if not, the reasons therefor;

(c) whether special provisions have been made to engage local youth in the plant; and

(d) if so, the details thereof along with the expected employment generation and total employment generated till date? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES & PENSIONS AND PRIME MINISTER’S OFFICE (DR. JITENDRA SINGH)

(a) A comprehensive Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) of setting up nuclear power plants at Gorakhpur in Haryana (Gorakhpur Anu Vidyut Pariyojana - GHAVP) including the impact on local water supply was carried out as a part of obtaining environmental clearance for the project from the MoEF&CC.

(b) The EIA study was carried out in line with the Terms of Reference (ToR) approved by MoEF&CC by M/s MECON (A Government of India Enterprise), an accredited agency for the purpose. No adverse impact on the water regime was envisaged by setting up of the project. A public hearing on the EIA report was also held on July 17, 2012. Based on the EIA report, MoEF&CC on December 26, 2013 granted Environmental Clearance for GHAVP-1 to 4.

(c) Special provisions for relaxations in the age and marks have been made in engagement provisions for Project Affected Persons (PAP). Further, preference to suitable local youth is a part of engagement provisions of various contracts. Skill development programmes, scholarships and sponsorships for higher education to the meritorious students in the local area are also provided as a part of Corporate Social Responsibility activities. As on date, NPCIL has made contributions of around 75 crores in CSR activities near GHAVP.(d) The Gorakhpur Nuclear Power Project comprises of two twin units of 700 MW each viz. GHAVP-1&2 (2X700 MW) and GHAVP-3&4 (2X700MW). During its peak construction time, around 8000 persons are estimated to be employed at GHAVP which follows a bell curve. Once operational, each of the twin unit stations are estimated to employ (both direct & indirect) around 2000 persons. In addition, there is a large potential for employment with contractors/vendors and business opportunities that will emerge consequent to increase in economic activities at the site. At present a total of 3177 persons are engaged in GHAVP, out of which 1624 belong to the state of Haryana.

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