Lok Sabha Question No. 75 (STARRED), answered on 2021-02-05
Subject: Expansion of Kattupalli Port
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT,  FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: Dr. T. Sumathy (a) Thamizhachi Thangapandian, V. Kalanidhi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 75

TO BE ANSWERED ON 05.02.2021

## Expansion of Kattupalli Port

## *75. DR. T. SUMATHY (a) THAMIZHACHI THANGAPANDIAN: DR. KALANIDHI VEERASWAMY:

Will the Minister of Environment, Forest andClimate Changebe pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  expansion  of  Kattupalli  port  is  prohibited  under  Coastal  Regulation Zone Notification as ports are not permitted to be set up in high erosion zone nor within close proximity of a sanctuary, if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the public hearing under Environmental  Impact  Assessment Notification, 2006 for the project has been/is likely to be held, if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether  the  project  would  pose  challenges  of  water  security  and  increase  risk  of flooding  in  and  around  Chennai  city  and  also  rise  in  saline  ingress/  intrusion  into groundwater aquifers, if so, the reaction of Government thereto;
- (d) whether  Government  proposes  to  take  action  against  the  company  engaged  in expansion  of  the  port  for  providing  false/misleading  information  relating  to  the project; and
- (e) whether Government proposes to reconsider/ reassess the project, if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER FOR ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE (SHRI PRAKASH JAVADEKAR)

- (a) to (e): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.

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Statement  referred  to  in  reply  to  parts  (a)  to  (e)  of  Lok  Sabha  Starred Question  No.  75  to  be  answered  on  Friday,  the  5 th February,  2021  on 'Expansion of Kattupalli Port' by Dr. T. Sumathy (a) ThamizhachiThangapandian and Dr.KalanidhiVeeraswamy

(a) Construction  of  ports,  harbours  and  allied  facilities  are  permissible  under  Coastal Regulation  Zone  (CRZ)  Notification,  2011,  however,  port  and  harbour  projects  in  high eroding stretches of the coast are prohibited. The proposal is for expansion of existing port project.  Environmental and CRZ Clearance for existing port was accorded by the Ministry after  due  diligence  vide  letter  dated  03.07.2009.  Further,  the  Pulicat  Lake  is  situated approximately 13 kilometres towards north of the project.

(b) The Terms of Reference (ToR) for the project was granted by the Ministry vide letter dated  15.10.2019,  which  inter-alia  include  conductance  of  public  consultation.  Public Hearing as part of the said Public Consultation has not been held.

(c) to (e) As  on  date,  no  such  challenge  has  been  reported  to  the  Ministry.  Based  on Terms  of  Reference  issued  for  the  project,  EIA  study  mandates  studies  including  (i)  a comprehensive study on all existing developments, like, Ennore port, L&T shipyard etc, (ii) impact of construction of berths and breakwaters on the littoral drift, which causes the sand accretion and deposition in the region, (iii) shoreline change Management Plan covering the area  from  Ennore Creek to Pulicat Lake (iv) impact of proposed project on Ennore Shoals that  were  protecting  the  coast  from  Cyclone  and  Tsunami,  (v)  study  on  drainage  pattern within and outside the port area including Ennore Creek, Pulicat Lake and Buckingham Canal (vi) biodiversity of the area, viz, estuary and coastal region, (vii) Socio-economic study in the surrounding villages of the project especially on the use of common property resources/Government lands.

Impact assessment and mitigation measures are mandated as a part of EIA and EMPstudies. Further, EIA and EMP studies along with Public Consultation report are appraised by Expert Appraisal Committee for their necessary recommendation. As per EIA Notification, 2006, as amended,  deliberate  concealment  or  submission  of  false/misleading  information  which  is material  to  appraisal  or  decision  on  the  application  shall  be  liable  for  rejection,  and cancellation of prior environmental clearance granted on that basis.

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