PANJIM: Having failed in its first attempt, infrastructure giant JSW-owned South West Port Limited (SWPL) has approached the Union Ministry for Environment and Forest (MoEF) to reconsider its proposal for grant of Environment Clearance (EC) for the proposed terminal capacity enhancement at berths 5A and 6A of Mormugao Port Trust (MPT).
SWPL has moved a fresh proposal before MoEF’s Expert Appraisal Committee (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.
SWPL had approached EAC earlier last year with a similar proposal and the Committee in December 2017 had recommended the project to MoEF for grant of EC, amidst opposition from the State government, State pollution authority and people.
“On being satisfied with the submissions of the project proponent in response to its observations, EAC recommended the project for grant of environmental and CRZ clearance,” EAC had said in its recommendation.
Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) had slammed the EAC for apparently not considering its recommendation, wherein it said that before granting EC for the proposed project, source apportionment studies at MPT are necessary, and brought to light various violations committed by SWPL and the fact that there is a case pending before it for excess coal handling. It had asked the Ministry to re-visit the decision of EAC.
As such, MoEF declined to take any decision in the matter citing National Green Tribunal’s (NGT) countrywide order passed in November 2017, directing all States not to consider any application for grant of EC/CRZ clearance pending finalisation of Coastal Zone Management Plan (CZMP) till June 2018.
As the Union ministry did not take action, SWPL approached the High Court of Bombay at Goa, earlier this year. However, the High Court refused to grant relief to SWPL considering the “serious background” of the case, and dismissed the petition.
SWPL was involved in environmental violations by handling excess coal cargo, causing pollution in Vasco. The Consent to Operate granted to the company for handling cargo at MPT has already been revoked by GSPCB.
