Environment clearance for Vizhinjam port project.

The Union Ministry of Environment and Forests has accorded environmental and Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) clearance to a Rs.5,000-crore deepwater container transshipment port to be set up at Vizhinjam.

The Ministry granted the clearance to the project as per the provisions of the Environment Impact Assessment Notification 2006 and CRZ Notification 2011 and its subsequent amendments, subject to strict compliance with the terms and conditions.

As many as 29 specific conditions and 14 general conditions have been stipulated in the order issued by the Director (IA.III) of the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF). It has been officially communicated to the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Vizhinjam International Seaport Ltd.(VISL), the government entity overseeing the flagship project of the State.

Recently, the Expert Appraisal Committee of the Ministry for projects relating to infrastructure development and Coastal Regulation Zone had recommended the accordance of environmental clearance for the project.

THE HINDU