Panel defers green nod to Essar firm's expansion project

Vadinar Oil Terminal has sought green nod for expanding its marine terminal to cater to Essar Oil's refinery expansion plan

Environment Ministry's panel EAC has deferred the decision to grant environment clearance (EC) to Essar group firm Vadinar Oil Terminal Ltd for expansion of a marine terminal in Gujarat and has sought more information from the company.

The Environment Ministry gives green nod to 'A' category projects based on the recommendations of its Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC).

VOTL has sought green nod for expansion of its marine terminal by adding two new berths, C and D, with a connecting trestle and associated facilities at Vadinar in Gujarat to cater to the need of Essar Oil's refinery expansion.

"The proposal was discussed in detail in the recent meeting. The EAC took note of the observations made by the Gujarat Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA) and sought more information from the company," a senior Environment Ministry official said.

GCZMA has recommended that VOTL should obtain necessary permission/recommendations from the State Level Eco-Sensitive Zone Monitoring Committee for the trestle, which is passing though eco-sensitive zone, before commencing any activity.

Consequently, the EAC asked the company to submit the coordinates of the proposed berths C and D duly served by the Kandla Port Trust to freeze their locations, the official said.

The committee has also asked the company to submit a copy of the letter in respect of 'Oil Spill Disaster Contingency Plan' submitted by Essar Ports to the Coast Guard Authority to clarify that the contingency plan covers all the four berths (A, B, C and D), the official added.

VOTL is an integrated oil terminal situated at Vadinar with a capacity of 58 million metric tonnes per annum (MMTPA) and handles crude oil and petroleum products.