The Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) has deferred the proposal for the 1,600-MW Uppur thermal power plant in Ramanathapuram district, which could lead to a delay in its commissioning.

According to the minutes of the 42 meeting of the reconstituted expert appraisal committee (thermal) of MoEF held early in February, the Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation Limited (TANGEDCO) had failed to identify environmentally acceptable alternative sites to the Uppur thermal power plant. This is required for determining terms of reference for environment clearance.