A revised environmental impact assessment report with respect to the Vizhinjam seaport and transhipment container terminal has been submitted to the Centre for its mandatory clearance.

K. Babu, Kerala’s Minister for Ports, Fisheries and Excise, said that the State Government expected a favourable decision from the expert appraisal committee of the Ministry of Environment and Forests.

The minister expected to get the views of the Union Ministry within 105 days. A compendium of reports prepared, of which environment impact assessment is only one, runs into a total of 4,000 pages.

“We have completed all procedures on our side for obtaining the environment clearance for the project,” an official spokesman quoted Babu as saying.

The public hearing on the report elicited 236 petitions, which were divided into five categories before preparing the final report.

More than 700 people had attended the hearing held at Vizhinjam ahead of submitting the report. The Government had originally planned to submit it, and other documents, by July 29, but was delayed.

The Vizhinjam international seaport and transhipment container project is envisioned to allow berthing capacity for vessels up to 18,020 TEU (twenty-foot equivalent container units).

The port will have dedicated rail and road connectivity to transport goods, and the master plan has included a modern fishing harbour with amenities such as berthing facilities for fishing boats.

Dredging, reclamation and basic infrastructure such as construction of breakwater and quay will be done once the project gets the environmental clearance.

vinson.kurian@thehindu.co.in

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