The plea was filed by the National Fishworkers Forum and other petitioners opposing the Vadhavan seaport construction, citing concerns over its impact on the environment and the livelihoods of local communities.
New Delhi: Today, 28th Feb, The Supreme Court of India suggested that the Central government consider appointing an independent expert agency to evaluate whether the Vadhavan Port project in Palghar, Maharashtra, could cause environmental damage.
The suggestion was made by a Bench of Justices AS Oka and Ujjal Bhuyan in an interim order while hearing a plea filed by the National Fishworkers Forum.
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The plea was filed by the National Fishworkers Forum and other petitioners opposing the Vadhavan seaport construction, citing concerns over its impact on the environment and the livelihoods of local communities.
The Supreme Court has not issued a stay on the project at this stage, considering the government’s statement that no major work will begin immediately. However, the Court has asked the Centre to explore the possibility of engaging an expert agency to assess the environmental impact before the next hearing, which is scheduled for May 2025.
“We direct the respondents to consider if they are willing to appoint any expert agency with a view to give opinion on the damage, if any, likely to be caused to the environment due to the project of the port,”
the Court stated in its order.
The Bench also noted that if the Centre decides to appoint such an expert body before May 2025, the matter can be mentioned in Court earlier to issue necessary directions.
During the hearing, the Supreme Court expressed concerns that the construction of the port could have adverse effects on the environment.
“Ultimately, we are also guardians of the environment. We have to be satisfied. It is in the interest of everybody that we appoint an (expert) agency, agency will give us an opinion … We will say that everything is subjected to final orders. We are worried about starting road work and reclamation work,” Justice Oka remarked.
Attorney General R Venkataramani represented the Central government and the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT), which has partnered with the Maharashtra Maritime Board for the port’s development. He urged the Court to hear the authorities involved before issuing any interim order that might halt the project.
He assured the Court that multiple stages of approvals were granted for the port after consultations with experts.
“In every case like this, if such statutory agencies are to be disbelieved, it will be a problem,” the Attorney General argued.
The Supreme Court stated that for now, it would not grant any interim relief or stay on the project, as the government has assured that any land acquisition for the port will be subject to further Court orders.
“In view of the aforesaid statements, at this stage, we are not considering prayer for interim relief,” the Court clarified.
[Case Title: National Fishworkers Forum and ors v. Union of India and ors].
