A crucial decision on environmental clearance for Vizhinjam International Seaport and Container Transhipment Terminal is expected within two weeks.

This became clear after an Expert Appraisal Committee of the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests wound up a third hearing in New Delhi on Saturday.

COMPLAINTS HEARD

It had earlier heard complaints relating to the environmental impact assessment done and clarifications on same by promoters Vizhinjam International Seaports Ltd.

The run-up to the meeting saw dramatic developments with the State Government going into a huddle to proffer an apology to the Centre, ‘just in time’ as an official source put it.

The unconditional apology was made for ‘environmental violations’ committed near the port site by the predecessor Government.

The Left Democratic Front Government (2006-11) had constructed a road near the project area that had not been apparently cleared by the Union Ministry.

MEETING HELD

Director board of the promoter company met at the Chief Minister’s official residence here to decide on tendering the apology.

It was forced to doing it since a section of resort owners from the proposed port area had complained to the Ministry about it.

They have been opposing the project since some of them would be asked to close down since these structures are standing within the command area identified for it.

Meanwhile, top State government officials visiting New Delhi hoped that the Expert Appraisal Committee would convey a positive decision to the Union Ministry.

COMPLAINTS OVERRULED

Representatives of a fishermen’s organisation and a group of hotel and resort owners were among those who sought to present their case against the Vizhinjam project.

But the committee overruled them, saying that they cannot expect to get a hearing this stage. They should have done the same at the earlier stages.

Meanwhile, councillors of City Corporation led a demonstration before a resort on Saturday saying that the ‘tourism lobby’ was working against the project.

The project cost was initially estimated at Rs 5,000 crore, but was revised five years ago by the present Government to Rs 4,010 crore.

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