HC halts construction at Adani's MPSEZ

The Gujarat High Court on Thursday directed local authorities to halt construction activity or development work at the Mundra Port and Special Economic Zone (MPSEZ) while hearing a petition moved by Kheti Vikas Seva Trust of Mundra on the alleged destruction of mangroves by the Adani Group companies. The court rejected the findings of the special committee appointed in September and ordered the constitution of a new committee after the Diwali vacation.

HC had appointed the special committee earlier in September, comprising of district collector, DSP and Coastal Regulation Zone Authority nominee. The committee had submitted its report on September 28, however, Kheti Vikas Seva Trust challenged the report on October 7, alleging it being influenced by Adani Group hence could not be trusted.

While hearing the petition challenging the committee's report, a division bench comprising of justice Jayant Patel and justice R M Chhaya directed 'not to carry out construction activity or development work on 300 meters area from sea shore at West Port and North Port of the SEZ'. The division bench also ordered formation of a new committee after Diwali vacation.

"The court has rejected committee's findings and maintained that the company had carried out large scale mangrove destruction along the coastal areas of Mundra and also filled up creeks. The court has ordered deployment of police at the SEZ and stopped further development activity at the SEZ site," said Narayan Gadhvi from Kheti Vikag Seva Trust. The next hearing is scheduled for November 10.

The order comes as a set back to Gautam Adani-promoted MPSEZ, as the company is in the process of developing one of the largest private sector SEZs in India. “The court has given directions not to do construction activity or development activity around 300 meters from the sea shore," informed Siraj Gori, counsel representing Kheti Vikag Seva Trust in the High Court.

In September, the HC had ordered a constitution of a special team, comprising of district collector, DSP and Coastal Regulation Zone Authority nominee. The committee was asked to visit the coastal areas near Mundra in Kutch district and find out weather Adani Group was involved in the destruction of mangroves in violation of the directions by the court. The committee was asked to submit its report by September 28.

Earlier, in a public interest litigation (PIL), Zarpara villagers had accused the company of violating environment norms and causing damage to environment. Zarpara village is located near Adani port in Mundra.

The villagers had specifically alleged the illegal cutting of mangrove trees by the companies and subsequent aggravation of salinity ingress in the region.