A terms of reference was issued for the project in February 2015.<ref>[http://environmentclearance.nic.in/writereaddata/Form-1A/TOR/022520151NTPC_Ltd___Pudimadaka.pdf "Terms of Reference,"] India MoEF, Feb. 25, 2015</ref> A public hearing on the plant was held in August 2015. An estimated one thousand local people attended, many of them opposing the plant based on its pollution effects.<ref>[http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/andhra-pradesh/public-hearing-for-ntpc-4000-mw-project-held-amid-protests/article7529572.ece "Public hearing for NTPC 4,000 MW project held amid protests,"] The Hindu, Aug 12, 2015</ref>
In March 2016 the India government said it planned to bid out three ultra mega power projects that year: Cheyyur in Tamil Nadu, Bedabahal in Odisha and Banka in Bihar. Pudimadaka was not included.<ref>[http://www.telegraphindia.com/1160302/jsp/business/story_72267.jsp#.V0oybJMrJ-U "Energiser for mega power projects,"] Telegraph, March 1, 2016</ref>
==Project Details==