Guj HC notice to Adani Power for noncompliance of green norms

The PIL has been filed by group of people under the name of Kheti Vikas Seva Trust

Gujarat High Court today issued notices to billionaire Gautam Adani promoted Adani Power Ltd (APL) and Adani Port and Special Economic Zone Ltd (APSEZL) in Mundra block of Kutch district for alleged violation and non-compliance of conditions set by the union ministry of forests and environment (MoEF) while granting environmental clearance to the project.

A bench of Chief Justice Bhaskar Bhattacharya and J B Pardiwala also issued notices to Union and state governments, Gujarat Pollution Control Board (GPCB) and Kutch district administration while hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by group of villagers mainly fishermen from Jarpara and Navinal villages of Mundra. The Adani Group companies and other respondents in the PIL have been asked to file their replies by July 11 when the next hearing is scheduled.

The PIL has been filed by group of people from Jarpara and Navinal village under the name of Kheti Vikas Seva Trust. They have alleged in the petition that APL had violated the conditions set by the MoEF while granting it environmental clearance in 2009 and 2010. Explaining their accusation, the villagers have stated that APL has constructed the water outfall channel from the power plant in Kotdi Creek area that violates the conditions set by the union government.The MoEF had asked the company not to do construction in creek area.

Naran Gadhvi, one of the petitioners in the case said that not a single condition set by the MoEF while granting green nod have been complied to by the Adani Power.

“On the contrary, Adani Power has violated the conditions by constructing outfall channel in creek area. This has restricted movement of the local fishermen from Jarpara and Navinal villages whose livelihood has been affected,” Gadhvi said, adding that because of the channel free access to sea has been restricted.

The petition further said that MoEF had asked the Adani Power to build harbour for local fishermen which the company has not done till date.