The Kudgi power plant, the foundation stone for which is set to be laid on Saturday, has kicked up a controversy with environmentalists opposing the project on the grounds that it would adversely affect health of the people in the region, besides harming the ecology.

M P Patil, a retired scientist from the Department of Atomic Energy, has filed a petition before the National Green Tribunal seeking that the permission granted on January 25 this year by the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) to the 2,400-MW power plant in the first phase should be withdrawn.