Team Herald
PANJIM: The Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) of the Union Ministry for Environment and Forest (MoEF) has failed to deliberate and carry forward the proposal mooted by infrastructure giant JSW-owned South West Port Limited (SWPL) for reconsidering its proposal for grant of Environment Clearance (EC) for the proposed terminal capacity enhancement at berth 5A and 6A of Mormugao Port Trust (MPT), in the absence of required information.
EAC has directed the project proponent to submit complete details for better understanding of the matter.
SWPL has moved a fresh proposal before MoEF’s EAC for reconsideration of EC and Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) clearance for its project, which has been marred in controversy. The proposed terminal capacity enhancement is for handling cargo like coal, coal products, iron ore and limestone.
During the meeting held on May 29 and 30, the Committee noted that environmental and CRZ clearance was accorded to the existing project on January 24, 2001 without the mention of quantity to be handled per annum. However, GSPCB has specified the quantity to 5.5 metric tonnes per annum (MTPA) for all cargoes in their periodical Consent to Operate (CTO) renewed from time to time. Further, the CTO was revoked by GSPCB and the project proponent has not operated since then.
“Due to no more details made available by the project proponent, the proposal could not be discussed on merits and not taken forward. The EAC asked the project proponent to provide complete details of the matter for better understanding of the case and further appraisal by the Committee. The proposal was, therefore, deferred till the desired information is submitted,” the minutes of the meeting state.
