The Ministry of Surface Transport gave the Environmental Clearance for the proposed port by virtue of power delegated from Ministry of Environment & Forest, Government of India.
National Environmental Appellate Authority (NEAA) upheld the above clearance while disposing off an application against the clearance filed by Beach Protection Council, Orissa.
NEAA judgement
NEAA in their judgement given after detailed scrutiny (including a site visit) have stated as follows :
“It is obvious that MOST had the power and Jurisdiction to grant Environmental Clearance for the Dhamra port expansion project as is done by it under the Environment Clearance order".
"The grant of EC for the said port expansion project is made by Empowered Committee for Environmental clearance for port projects of MOST by following the guidelines issued for environmental clearance of ports issued vide SO no. (E) dated 9.7.97”.
“The area between the Low Tide Line and High Tide Line in the area to be covered by Dhamra Port Expansion Project being of clay soil and very sticky it could never become a breeding center for turtles".
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