Construction of Kandla bulk terminal challenged, notice issued

Gujarat High Court today issued notices to Adani Port and Special Economic Zone (APSEZ) Ltd, Kandla Port Trust (KPT) and other state and central agencies over a PIL seeking stay to the construction of bulk terminal at Tuna in Kutch district.
The division bench of Chief Justice Bhaskar Bhattacharya and Justice J B Pardiwala directed APSEZ, KPT and others to file replies within two weeks.
Petitioners Ibrahim Amad and others, villagers from Tuna and Vandi, have claimed in the petition, filed through advocate Hashim Qureshi, that construction of terminal was taken up without environmental clearances.
Besides, it would put the livelihood of 10,000 fishermen in jeopardy and damage the environment, it says.

The construction has already damaged mangroves in the area, it says, adding that no tender was issued before the contract was awarded.
Bulk terminal at Kandla would handle coal, fertiliser, salt and agricultural products, apart from other cargo.