Campaign against M'lore SEZ termed misleading

The Rs 35,000-crore Mangalore SEZ project, promoted by Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Ltd, a subsidiary of ONGC, has been receiving flak from environmental groups right from the outset.

The 'greens' have concentrated on the negative impact the SEZ could have on the coastal environment. This, despite the efforts of MRPL to dispel doubts on the environmental impact.

AG Pai, chief operating officer, MSEZ Ltd, dismissed the campaign against the project in the name of 'environmental impact' as 'misleading'.

Giving details of the present status of the MSEZ project on the matter at the Kanara Chamber of Commerce and Industry, he said the preparation of a comprehensive environment management plan (EMP) for the construction and operational phases was well past the 'blue print' stage.

The National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (Neeri), Pune, had prepared a detailed study on the matter and its findings on the Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) would be made public soon, he informed.

The socio-economic study on the nearly 1,800 acres of land acquired had been conducted and the 'capacity bearing' study was conducted on a scientific basis, he added.

The Karnataka Pollution Control Board is to conduct an environmental public hearing in this regard on November 28 the proceedings of which will be forwarded to the Ministry of Environment & Forests (MOEF), he said.