FCC

Infra projects in Goa and Gujarat receive environmental clearance

2019-05-08

Infra projects in Goa and Gujarat, the development of a greenfield international airport and the expansion of a waterfront development plan for Mundra Port by Adani Ports and SEZ, respectively have received approvals from the environment ministry.

The ministry?s expert appraisal committee (EAC) had granted environmental clearance to development of a greenfield international airport in north Goa and granted terms of reference (TOR) to the expansion of a waterfront development plan for Mundra Port by Adani Ports and SEZ (APSEZ). TOR forms the basis for an approval of environmental clearance in future.

As per environmental law experts, violations have been recorded in various government and legal documents pertaining to the project. Reports suggest that in both of these projects, there have been incomplete environmental assessments, legally recorded non-compliance, pending resolution of court and administrative directions and ongoing litigation.

Besides granting TOR to the main project, the ministry has asked for the inclusion of other issues such as importance and benefits from the expansion, a certified compliance report by environment ministry for the conditions stipulated in previous environmental clearances, the impact of dredging on marine ecology, and a biodiversity report and management plan for aquatic species. TOR, which is being granted, is expected to determine how the project will be assessed.