PANAJI
In a major development, South West Port Limited (SWPL) has been permitted by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) to approach the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) seeking deletion of dredging-related conditions from the Environmental Clearance (EC) granted for its proposed terminal capacity enhancement at Berths 5A and 6A at Mormugao Port.
The liberty was granted after both SWPL and the Mormugao Port Authority (MPA) informed the green bench that no dredging work had been undertaken at the site, despite the January 11, 2023 EC permitting such activity.
During the July 23 hearing, SWPL had assured the Tribunal that it would move an application to the Ministry seeking deletion of conditions relating to dredging, from the EC, stating that it had never undertaken dredging at the site. The Tribunal had directed that the application be moved within two weeks.
MPA, during the same proceedings, also informed the Tribunal that it was not undertaking any dredging at the site, stating that such work would require allocation of funds.
However, instead of approaching MoEF&CC, SWPL subsequently filed an interlocutory application before the NGT seeking directions to Ministry for deletion of conditions.
The move drew a sharp response from the Tribunal during the August 31 hearing.
“We fail to understand as to how wrong interpretation has been made by the learned counsel for respondent of our direction dated 23.07.2026 because he was supposed to move such an application before the MoEF&CC for deletion of the said condition from EC as they are the competent authority and not this Tribunal,” the green bench observed.
While dismissing the plea, the NGT granted liberty to SWPL to approach MoEF&CC at the earliest and fixed the matter for October 29.
The proceedings stem from a petition filed by NGO Rainbow Warriors challenging the EC granted to SWPL for the proposed enhancement of terminal capacity at Berths 5A and 6A at Mormugao Port.
With the proposed expansion, the total cargo handling is expected to increase to around 14-15 million tonnes per annum (MTPA). This includes 12-13 MTPA of bulk cargo comprising coal, iron ore, limestone, dolomite, bauxite, mineral ores and miscellaneous cargo.
