Government planning to set up Indian Neutrino Observatory in Theni District of Tamil Nadu
The Government intends to set up the India-based Neutrino Observatory (INO) in West Bodi Hills, Theni District of Tamil Nadu. The project is awaiting a clearance from the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board. The project is held up because of the long overdue Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) clearance. Presently the TNPCB has formed a committee of experts to advise it for further course of action.
A public meeting was organized by the Theni Collector on July 08, 2010. This was attended by about 1200 persons mostly from the nearby villages, including panchayat members, local MLAs, District officials, DSP as well as members of the press. There was vocal questioning by the villagers. INO scientists patiently explained all the features of the project. At the end of the meeting, the Collector, with the consent of the members present, gave the go ahead for the INO project.
While DAE has carried out many science outreach programmes at nearby schools and colleges and public outreach programmes in nearby villages, members of the INO team stationed at Madurai and Theni regularly visit Pottipuram and interact with the local populace.
At present, there is no proposal to shift the location of INO.
There is no representation from any neighbouring state against construction of the said observatory. However, there are two PILs, one in the Madurai bench of the Madras High court by Mr. Vaiko and another in the National Green Tribunal (NGT), Southern zone, Chennai by Mr. G. Sunderrajan.
The High Court has passed an interim order restraining commencement of the research work of the project, without getting necessary clearance from the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board. The TN PCB clearance was applied for on 22-5-2015 and is still awaited. A few days back TN PCB has formed an expert committee to look into the matter. As for the NGT case, TN PCB did not respond for a long time leading to postponements. The NGT case has had a ruling by the judge that the Environmental Clearance issued by MoEF is in abeyance and a fresh application has to be made by INO.
