The Union ministry of environment and forests (MoEF) will not — in the wake of the Japan quake crisis — push for retrofitting of existing critical infrastructure projects in coastal areas, informed a top ministry official here yesterday.
The ministry has, however, been considering safety measures under the proposed revamp of the environment impact assessment (EIA) notification rules for new projects in these regions.
“Even as there are mounting safety concerns around critical infrastructure projects on the coastal regions post the Japan quake, we will not push for retrofitting of existing plants. It would be almost impossible and not feasible to retrofit, it would involve huge cost. Additionally, the plants don’t have enough space for expansion. Also, by the time they retrofit, the life of the project would most probably end,” said Nalini Bhat, advisor to the MoEF.
On the sidelines of a national seminar on integrated coastal zone management, Bhat told Business Standard the government may look at alternate options for safety measures and not consider orceful implementation of the revamped EIA notification for existing plants. “We would try to make sure that people do not live in the nearby surroundings of such plants, so that in case of a disaster, like the tsunami, at least the population remains at a safe distance,” she added.
Many critical infrastructure projects, including power plants, oil storage depots and refineries, are located in coastal areas. Many more are likely to come up. To address safety challenges in the surrounding areas of such plants, the government is preparing a report on preparedness for tsunami-like disasters for these regions. The report is expected in a month.