NOD in 2 weeks for Rs 5,000-cr Vizhinjam port
EAC assures the stat to give clearance to the Rs 5,000-crore Vizhinjam International Container Transhipment Terminal project.
Thiruvananthapuram: The Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) of the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF), which met in Delhi on Saturday, has assured the state to give clearance to the Rs 5,000-crore Vizhinjam International Container Transhipment Terminal project within two weeks.
The committee, which completed its hearing, dismissed the complaints submitted by a section ofhoteliers of Vizhinjam, belonging to the Hotel and Restaurant Association, pointing out violation of coastal regulation zone (CRZ) regulationswhile constructing a 600-metre-long approach road to the site of the proposed port.
The complaint was that the road construction was illegal as it was done before the ministry gave environment clearance for the project.
The state government explained the circumstances under which the road from Pooovar to Vizhinjam was constructed. The government also expressed its regret over the construction.
Sources said that the road was constructed by the previous LDF government under the KSTP project to reduce the travel woes of those living in the area. The state government would also assure the EAC that no further construction would be carried out in the area before getting environment clearance.