Appraisal panel seeks details of activities carried out, EC and CRZ clearances
PANAJI
In a major setback to the Mormugao Port Authority (MPA), the Union Ministry for Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) has deferred to grant permission for its long pending proposal of modernisation and expansion of port infrastructure by constructing fishing and passenger jetty, coastal cargo berth and development of berths for Indian Navy and Indian Coast Guard. The total cost of the project is around Rs 570 crore.
During its meeting held on December 15, the Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) of the MoEF&CC deferred the proposal for grant of Terms of Reference (ToR) directing MPA to submit details of the activities carried out at the port along with the Environment Clearance (EC) and Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) clearances for the same.
Initially, MPA had obtained ToR in May 2017 for Modernisation and Expansion of Port infrastructure for Fishing, Coastal and Multipurpose Cargo Berth and Liquid/general cargo at Mormugao Port. In line with the ToR, Port had carried out Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) studies and subsequently public hearing was conducted in October 2018.
The application for CRZ clearance was submitted to the Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA) in March 2019; however pending finalisation of the Coastal Zone Management Plan (CZMP) 2011, the Authority did not consider the proposal. Meanwhile, extension of validity of ToR was obtained for a further one year till May 2021.
Subsequently considering the Covid pandemic, the Ministry issued a notification dated January 2021 excluding the period from April 2020 to March 2021 and as per the said notification the validity of ToR was extended upto May 2022.
Further, Government of Goa finalised the CZMP, 2011 and MoEF&CC notified it in September, 2022, but by then the ToR validity was expired. Thus MPA applied for a fresh ToR.
“Expert Appraisal Committee held on December 15, 2023 recommended to defer the proposal for want of information: the details of the activities carried out in the port by the port authorities along with their EC and CRZ clearances in the chronological order and Comparative statement of activities for which ToR was granted against the current proposal,” the minutes of the meeting stated.
According to the proposal, the project falls under CRZ IV B & CRZ I B as per 7 km radius of CZMP Map and hence, requires CRZ recommendations from GCZMA followed by EC & CRZ Clearance from MoEF&CC. The total capital dredging to be undertaken is 10,00,000 sq metre.
Highlighting the benefits of the project, the MPA said that it will help in enhancing security for the Indian Coast Guard and Navy. “The project emphasizes coastal cargo for seamless movement, reducing logistics costs and benefiting local industries with coastal cargo berths. Increased coastal cargo movements bring higher financial returns, lower logistics and manufacturing costs, and enhance product competitiveness globally,” PP said.
“The construction of fishing and passenger jetties benefits local fishermen, residents, and boosts water transport and tourism, improving the financial conditions of the community,” it added.
