Nayachar likely to get environmental clearance

The West Bengal government today said it is hopeful of receiving environmental clearance for Nayachar island in East Midnapore district for industrial projects.

"We had a meeting with environment ministry officials on an expert committee report. We are hopeful to get clearance," Industry Minister Partha Chatterjee said on the sidelines of the AGM of Bengal Chamber here.

He said when the Centre could offer clearance for a chemical hub during the Left Front regime then why not for tourism and power projects at Nayachar.

The Union Environment Ministry's expert appraisal committee had objected to the state government's super critical imported coal-based thermal power plant at Nayachar on the ground that it was ecologically fragile.

Chatterjee said lifting of the pollution embargo for Haldia, Howrah and Asansol on industrial expansion would help clearance of projects.

In Haldia alone there were 25-30 new and expansion projects which were pending due to pollution norms and would now get clearance, he said.