India: New International Container Transshipment Terminal at Cochin Operational by August 2010

An International Container Transshipment Terminal is being established in Cochin Port. As of today 95% of the physical completion of the ICTT has been achieved. The first phase of the terminal is expected to be ready for operations by end August, 2010.

Cochin Port Trust had carried out environment impact assessment (EIA) studies of the ICTT through the National Institute of Oceanography (NIO) and the Central Water and Power Research Station (CWPRS), Pune. No adverse impact was predicted at the time of the EIA study.

Based on the EIA study, environment clearance was obtained for the above projects from the M/o Environment and Forests. While communicating the approval, the M/o Environment and forests had directed the Port Trust to commission the National Institute of Oceanography for continuous monitoring of the impact of the Project for a period of three years from the commencement of the Project. Accordingly, the Port Trust has already commissioned the NIO for continuously monitoring of the impact, if any.

This study commenced in December, 2008, when the capital dredging commenced, and will continue even beyond the completion of the capital dredging, till December, 2011. The NIO has not so far reported any adverse impact of the capital dredging on the coast.

On the public representation, the Port has also engaged experts from the Department of Oceanography, Indian Institute of Technology, Madras, to carry out a fresh, independent study on the subject.

The above information was given by the Minister of Shipping, Shri G.K. Vasan in Lok Sabha today.

(pib)

[mappress]

Source: pib, July 28, 2010;