The National green Tribunal on Friday gave its go-ahead to the construction of the multi-crore Vizhinjam International Seaport Ltd (VISL), being developed by Kerala government in collaboration with Adani Group, saying it was crucial for economic development of the country.
The green panel, which refused to quash the environment clearance granted to the seaport, constituted an expert committee of seven members to look into compliance of conditions of environmental and Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) clearance granted by the Environment Ministry.
It also gave a free hand to the committee to impose additional conditions in addition those in the environmental and CRZ clearances in the interest of the protecting environment and ecology. The bench noted that Vizhinjam port was of vital importance as till date there was no single deep water container port and its establishment would result in transfer of large container vessels to the Indian Coast.
“Presently, large container cargo vessels dock at Dubai, Singapore, Colombo etc which are transhipment hubs for goods meant for India. This would result in transhipment of trade including of the goods meant for Bangladesh, Burma etc. This will also boost the development of Indian coastal shipping which is much cheaper than any other mode of transport,” a bench comprising NGT Chairman Justice Swatanter Kumar and Justice R S Rathore said. “Building of such port is crucial for the economic development for the State as well as the country, lack of port infrastructure is seriously hampering India’s international trade, competitiveness and India’s economic growth,” the bench said.