HC disposes of petition against Devpt of Pondy port:Valsaraj

Pondicherry, Aug 21 (UNI) Pondicherry Health Minister E Valsaraj today told the Legislative Assembly that Madras High Court had disposed of the writ petition filed against the development of the Pondicherry port with private participation in favour of the government.

Making a suo motu statement in the assembly, Mr Valasaraj said that the government, after examining the issue of the development of the port had called for expression of interst from private promoters for consultants for the preparation of feasibility report.

After detailed assessment of the resources and scope for development, the administration had issued a 'letter of intent' for development of the port on a built, operate and transfer (BOT) basis, he added.

However, the effort of the government was challenged in the Madras high court and the contention of the petitioner was heard. The court had directed that the development of Pondicherry port by a private developer should be subject to enviornmental clearence by the Enviornment and Forest Ministry under the Enviornmental Protection Act 1986.

The court also directed that the Ministry of Enviornment while examining the clearence of the project shall take into consideration the objections raised by the two writ petitioners.

The Pondicherry Government shall ensure that the project was implimented for the development of the Pondicherry port and not allow any real estate activity as alleged in the petition. The high court had conclued that there is no impediment to proceed with the project according to the law, the minister added.

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