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Adverse MoEF report on Nirma cement unit to SC

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BS Reporter New Delhi
Last Updated : Jan 20 2013 | 9:33 PM IST

The controversial cement project of Nirma Ltd on the Saurashtra coast of Gujarat might be asked to relocate, following an adverse report of the Union environment and forests ministry (MoEF) to the Supreme Court.

According to the report, the Rs 450-crore project will harm the natural wetland and violate environment laws.

Two months earlier, the court had ordered a new environment study of the cement plant being built by Nirma on 268 acres in Bhavnagar district. The report was given on Tuesday to a bench headed by Chief Justice S H Kapadia. The court will pass the final order on Friday, relying on the environment report.

The project, drafted in 2008 under the Vibrant Gujarat programme, was caught in public interest litigation when farmers in the area took the company to the Gujarat high court. Though the company relinquished Rs 100 hectares following the Gujarat HC’s orders, the farmers moved the Supreme Court, as they were still apprehensive of the impact of the plant on their livelihood.

MoEF had earlier asked the company to stop construction, following year-long protests from villagers who alleged it was being built on a natural water body and would destroy their farmland and cattle wealth.

Saurashtra lacks adequate supply of water. It also faces constant threat of salination from sea water. Farmers in the region have protected their lands by constructing check dams and bunds.

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First Published: May 11 2011 | 12:34 AM IST

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