The National green Tribunal today gave its go-ahead to the construction of the multi-crore Vizhinjam International Seaport Ltd (VISL), being developed by Kerala government in collaboration with Adani Group, saying it was crucial for economic development of the country.
The green panel, which refused to quash the environment clearance granted to the seaport, constituted an expert committee of seven members to look into compliance of conditions of environmental and Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) clearance granted by the Environment Ministry.
It also gave a free hand to the committee to impose additional conditions in addition those in the environmental and CRZ clearances in the interest of the protecting environment and ecology.
The bench noted that Vizhinjam port was of vital importance as till date there was no single deep water container port and its establishment would result in transfer of large container vessels to the Indian Coast.
"Presently, large container cargo vessels dock at Dubai, Singapore, Colombo etc which are transhipment hubs for goods meant for India. This would result in transhipment of trade including of the goods meant for Bangladesh, Burma etc. This will also boost the development of Indian coastal shipping which is much cheaper than any other mode of transport....
"Building of such port is crucial for the economic development for the State as well as the country, lack of port infrastructure is seriously hampering India's international trade, competitiveness and India's economic growth.
"National security is also served in emergency because of proximity to international shipping routes. The Indian Navy and Coast Guard can make use of it. Cruise terminal of large cruise vessel at Vizhinjam will also boost tourism," a bench comprising NGT Chairman Justice Swatanter Kumar and Justice R S Rathore said.
The seaport project, being developed in Public Private Partnership model, involves construction of quays, terminal area and port building and is expected to be completed in three phases.
Adani Ports and Special Economic Zones Ltd (APSEZ), India's biggest private port operator, had won the contract for the project.
VISL is a special purpose government company fully owned by the state government that has to act as an implementing agency for the development of the greenfield seaport at Vizhinjam in Thiruvananthapuram.
The green panel also directed the expert committee to
implement all recommendations of the fisheries management plan, specially relating to creation of additional fish landing centres, upgradation of existing fishing harbour, skill development and other welfare measures required for fishermen and their families.
The expert committee should submit a quarterly report on the monitoring carried out by it to the NGT, the order said.
It rejected the contention of petitioners Wilfred J, V Marydasan and other local residents that the site in question was one of the areas of "outstanding natural beauty" according to CRZ Notification, 1991 and held that subsequent 2011 CRZ Notification does not include this clause.
"The plea of protecting 'areas of outstanding natural beauty' is a general concept applicable to all States, while the subject matter of the present application is limited to the granting or otherwise of environmental clearance and CRZ to Vizhinjam Port. Thus the contention is entirely unfounded," it said.
The NGT, in its 133-page verdict, said it has no reason to believe that public hearing was not conducted fairly and in a transparent manner as suggestions received were incorporated by the Expert Appraisal Committee.
It directed establishment of mechanism for setting up a cell within Coastal Zone Management Act of Kerala for regular monitoring of the shoreline changes in the project area at the cost of the project proponent.
With regard to generation of sewage in the harbour complex, it said the entire sewage should be processed within the complex without discharging any untreated waste into the sea or on land.
The bench ordered setting up of adequate number of air quality monitoring stations by the project proponent within the site in consultation with the Kerala Pollution Control Board.
The project proponent was also directed to ensure that air pollution, during construction and operation phase, from construction works, transportation of construction debris and material and due to vehicular emission, remains within the ambient air quality standards at all the times.
"In case this Tribunal finds any default on the part of the project proponent in relation to compliance of EC or CRZ or directions contained in this Judgment or in relation to instructions given by the Expert Committee, the Tribunal shall be constrained to pass penal and coercive orders, including imposition of environmental compensation," the bench said.
