PANAJI
The Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) of the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) has recommended an amendment to the Environmental Clearance (EC) granted to Vedanta Limited, allowing the company to transport iron ore from its Bicholim Mineral Block-I through an extended stretch of the public MDR-20 road in North Goa.
Route approved
The recommendation was made at the EAC meeting on August 28, when it approved Route-2 for transporting mined-out material from the mine to Sarmanas Jetty.
“PP shall use transportation Route-2 to transport mined-out material from the mine to Sarmanas Jetty, covering a total distance of 5.62 km, comprising 3.75 km of dedicated road and 1.87 km of MDR-20, including an additional extended stretch of 0.93 km of the same MDR-20 road,” the EAC recommended.
NGT direction
Vedanta approached the MoEF&CC in June following a direction from the National Green Tribunal (NGT), which asked the company to seek an amendment to its EC for using the extended stretch of the
public road.
The company told the EAC that there was no change in the starting or ending points of the route from the mine site to Sarmanas Jetty via Pilgao Junction. It said the dedicated road earlier used by the erstwhile lessee was obstructed in November-December 2024, following which it approached the police authorities and the Bombay High Court.
Route verified
An inter-departmental committee, after conducting a site inspection, recommended the use of 1.87 km of MDR-20 with safeguards. The route was subsequently verified and approved by the State government, the Directorate of Mines and Geology (DMG) and the Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB).
Greenbelt condition
While recommending the amendment, the EAC imposed several conditions. Vedanta has been directed to complete greenbelt development along the transportation route by the 2027 monsoon, in consultation with local authorities, the DMG and GSPCB.
Electric vehicles
The company must also replace at least 20 per cent of its existing light vehicle fleet with electric vehicles within one year. It has also been directed to replace 10 per cent of its dumper fleet with electric dumpers under the forthcoming mining contract for FY 2028-29.
Ore spillage
It has further been directed to prevent ore spillage, with all trucks transporting ore required to be covered with tarpaulin.
