Environment minister Jairam Ramesh on Wednesday cleared six coal blocks, including five in ‘no go' areas, in Orissa. This was the second time in a week that the environment ministry has shown a softening in stance about coal blocks caught in green hurdles.

Of the six blocks, three (Meenakshi-A, B and Dipside) were allotted to the 3,960 Mw/4000 Mw ultra mega power plant (UMPP) in Orissa.