New Delhi: The Expert Appraisal Committee of the ministry of environment and forest (MoEF) has sought a detailed plan (DP) for granting environmental clearance (EC) for the development of a port on the river Mahanadi in Kendrapada district at a cost of Rs 2,110 crore.
In meeting held here recently, the committee discussed the project in detail and noted that the port will be developed in two phases and the instant proposal was only for phase-I. Accordingly, the committee was of the view that the project proponent should submit a detailed plan both for phases 1 and 2 along with possible impact and their mitigation.
The committee has laid a 38-point charter asking the project proponent to comply with it. The panel also asked the project proponent to prepare an environment impact assessment (EIA) report by considering terms of reference and public hearing prescribed by the EAC and also asked it to incorporate the emerging issues and the responses to them. The committee said that the draft EIA would be submitted to the state pollution control board for a public hearing.
It is to be mentioned here that the port will be developed in two phases on 300 hectares. Total 175 hectares will be utilised for the phase-I development.
The project will generate employment opportunities for locals and will also lead to overall socio-economic development of the area. During the construction phase, about 500 laborours will get jobs.
