PANJIM: In what could spell trouble for Mormugao Port Trust’s (MPT) proposed deepening of the approach channel and inner basin for capsize vessels, the sub-committee constituted to undertake bathymetry work has observed that MPT has violated the National Green Tribunal (NGT) order by undertaking dredging beyond 14.1m and 14.4m at its berth No 10 and 11.

Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA), that is monitoring the proposed work, has accepted the report of the sub-committee, which was constituted as per NGT directions. “The Authority, after detailed deliberation and discussion, decided to accept the report of the sub-committee which observes that MPT has violated the order of the NGT and decided to place the same before the High Court of Bombay at Goa,” GCZMA decided in its recent meeting.

NGT had permitted MPT to carry out maintenance dredging to achieve the draft of 14.1m and not more than 14.4m and after that MPT was directed to stop the work. “The sub-committee has found that the bathymetry is more than -14.1m and 14.4m at the respective segments of the channel that is berth No 10 and 11, thus amounting to a violation of the NGT order,” sources revealed.

NGT, through its order dated October 2017, had directed GCZMA to undertake a study to ascertain the impact of dredging on environment and coast. The order was in the application filed by Old Cross Fishing Canoe Owners Cooperative Society Ltd, who had later moved to High Court.

The High Court in its order in November 2017, had said that in bid to confirm the final depths after the maintenance dredging is over, GCZMA may appoint an independent chartered hydrographer, at the cost of MPT, who can provide the actual bathymetry all along the channel. If it is found that the bathymetry is more then -14.1m and 14.4m at the respective segments of the channel, it would tantamount to a violation of the NGT order.

The ongoing dredging is a maintenance dredging by MPT to achieve the normally required draft of -14.1m.