The Madras High Court has pulled the brakes on the Kolli Hills hydroelectric power project in Salem district of Tamil Nadu. The court directed the Tamil Nadu electricity board to stop work on the project and directed the board to seek permission from the Centre for clearance of the project. The petition had argued that the 20 MW power project in the Eastern Ghats was detrimental to the environment and would lead to displacement of tribals. The judges noted that the project had no clearance from the Union ministry of environment and forests .