Green tribunal clears Adani Ports' deep sea port

In a big relief for Adani Ports, The National Green Tribunal (NGT) refused to quash environmental clearances given to Vizhinjam International Sea Port in Kovalam, Kerala. It has cleared the coastal regulatory clearances as well as the environment clearances. The principal bench of the tribunal has cleared the Rs 6,000 crore port project being developed by Adani Ports and Special Economic Zones (APSEZ).In 2014, Adani Ports had cleared the coaster regulatory clearances as well as environmental clearances. And this is where the dispute arose. Kerala had approached the apex court saying this was a coastal regulatory zone and eco-sensitive. The development of a deep sea project will hurt the ecosystem in an irreversible manner, it had said. The NGT in its ruling has given a waiver to Adani Ports to proceed with development of the project. It has added two caveats: Adani will be responsible for insuring the employement of the locals. An expert committee will be constituted to survey the progress and submit the report to NGT.Watch video for more...