'Gross irregularity' was involved in allowing MPT to carry

National Green Tribunal has directed Mormugao Port Trust (MPT) to deposit Rs 50 crore with Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority after it observed that there was "gross irregularity" in the grant of environment clearance by Ministry of Environment and Forest while allowing MPT to undertake dredging of the navigational channel.
Vasco-based MPT is dredging (excavation of water bodies) navigational channel at its cruise berth in the state. The project was launched by Union Minister for Shipping Nitin Gadkari recently.
The order was passed by a bench comprising Justice Jawad Rahim and Dr Ajay Deshpande on Wednesday after hearing a petition filed by Old Cross Fishing Canoe Owners Co-op Society Ltd and Baina Ramponkar & Fishing Canoe Owners Society seeking a stay on the dredging process.

The petitioner had claimed that the project will have an adverse impact including on water quality, habitats of local aquatic life besides destruction of their livelihood activity.
"This is a typical scenario where prima facie gross irregularity in grant of environmental clearance can be seen along with lack of regulatory control during conducting the dredging operations," the order read.
The bench refused to grant stay on dredging stating "(dredging) operations are necessary for overall development".

"It is an important infrastructural project, significant public money has already been spent on the project as more than 46 per cent work has already been completed," the bench said.

It also directed MPT todeposit Rs 50 crore with Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority within a week, failing which the dredging can be stopped.
The bench directed the Authority to constitute a committee for "ascertaining the environmental status and impacts out of the dredging operations".
State Pollution Control Board official and GCZMA member Dr Antonio Mascaranhas will be a part of the committee.
The NGT also observed that while environment clearance for the project was granted on February 9, it was commissioned on January 1, thereby violating Environment Protection Act and regulations thereunder.