CHENNAI: The State Coastal Zone Management Authority has sent a notice to Kamarajar Port asking it not to dump dredged sand on the inter-tidal zone and salt pans in and around Ennore Creek.
Kamarajar Port chairman and managing director M A Bhaskarachar told Express that they have received the notice. “The letter from SCZMA has asked Kamarajar Port not to dump dredged sand on the disputed site. We have stopped dumping long time ago. Until the issue is resolved with the state government we will not pursue any activity there,” he said.
The notice comes after a scheduled meeting with port authorities was cancelled by the coastal authority.
Earlier, Kamarajar Port was totally banned from dumping the dredged sand on some parts of the creek. Now the Port is seeking special permission as some activities are allowed in inter-tidal zone.
“We have sought special permission from the state government to allow us to undertake permissible activities under the Coastal Regulation Zone (1) B. Under this some activities are permitted,”Bhaskarachar said.
However, activists are opposing any special permission to the port to dump dredged sand. Environmental activist Nityanand Jayaraman says that they would will pursue the case to prosecute Kamarajar port and its managing director over dumping of dredged sand on the inter-tidal zone.