MoS objects to MoEF’s draft policy

The Ministry of Shipping (MoS) has rasied objections to the new draft policy on the development of ports proposed by Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF). The shipping ministry fears that this new policy could hamper the National Maritime Development Programme (NMDP).
However, MoS has asked MoEF to approve the ongoing projects under NMDP and to expedite environment clearance for expansion projects of 187 minor ports. On November 3, 2009, MoEF decided to form a new policy on initiation of port development projects. Till the time such a policy was prepared, it issued interim guidelines that required conducting hydro-dynamic study and comprehensive environmental impact assessment studies to judge the effects of such projects on the shoreline and neighbouring ecology. The expert committee, which recommended a study on the cumulative impact of port projects based on previous three season data, has asked for public hearing on port development projects before giving them environment clearances.
In preparation of the new policy, MoEF has also initiated a micro-level study of changes in the 7,517 km long coastline of the country due to existing projects and identifying suitable sites to locate the new projects. The policy is likely to come into effect after October 2010.

(Source: Maritime Gateway)