Cargo handling capacity to increase from 13 to 19.5 MTPA
PANAJI
After over a five-year long wait, the Union Ministry for Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) has finally granted environmental and CRZ clearance to the Mormugao Port Authority’s (MPA) proposed redevelopment of berth 8 and 9 and barge berth at an estimated cost of Rs 1,145.36 cr. As a result, the cargo handling capacity of the berths will be increased to 19.5 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) from existing 13 MTPA.
In a communication to MPA chairman on July 6, MoEF&CC secretary Amardepp Raju has informed that based on the recommendation of the Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) the Ministry has accorded Environmental and CRZ clearance to the project ‘Redevelopment of Berths 8, 9 and Barge Berth at the port of Mormugao under the provisions of the EIA notification 2006. The EAC had in January 2020, recommended the project for EC.
The MPA had in April 2019 made an application to MoEF&CC seeking EC and CRZ clearance.
The Ministry has directed MPA to obtain Consent to Establish under Air Act and Water Act from the State Pollution Control Board (SPCB).
According to the project proponent, the Berth No. 8 that currently handles liquid cargo will be converted to handle coal/coke and general cargo while berth 9 and 9A will continue to handle iron ore.
The project proponent has also said that the existing capacity of these old berths with 38-year old iron ore handling equipment is 13 MTPA and as a result of modernisation of berths, more efficient operations due to this project and utilisation of deeper draft of 19.5 MTPA.
“The total berth frontage which will be available for development is 1050 metres. It is proposed to shift the berth face up to 50 metres from the existing face. Proposed project envisages reclamation in an area of 6.50 ha. Hence, the total backup area after reclamation is 27ha. It is proposed to be used as a backup area for handling and storage of iron ore, coal/coke, general cargo and containers as a part of the redevelopment,” the proposal stated.
MPA has proposed to dredge the outer channel up to (-) 19.8 metres and the manoeuvring area upto (-) 19.5 metre. The deepening of the approach channel for capsize vessels will be done through dredging of 2.44 million cubic metres over a distance of 50 metre. The MPA expects that the dredging will give it a deeper draught of 19.5 metre and will be able to cater to larger ships.
For both the projects, the MPA had conducted public hearings in 2017 over a period of four days – April 27 and June 2, 3 and 4. The locals as well as the fishing community had raised their strong objection to the project.
The Ministry has imposed several conditions on the project proponent with regards to environment mitigation measures, green belt development, waste management and others.
