THOOTHUKUDI: The Tamil Nadu State Coastal Zone Management Authority (TNSCZMA) has recommended the revised proposal for the Parangipettai Captive Port, with reduced coal handling capacity from 15 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) to 5 MTPA, to the the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) for Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) for further clearance while putting forth certain conditions.
The captive port, being built by IL&FS Tamil Nadu Power Corporation (ITPCL), a special purpose vehicle of IL&FS, at a cost of around Rs 200 crore, will have lighterage operations, which would generally involve transferring cargo from larger vessels through lighters or barges when the vessels cannot directly dock at the port.
TNSCZMA has directed ITPCL to refrain from commencing construction until the necessary CRZ clearance is obtained. Additionally, shoreline monitoring must be conducted by a reputed institute, with biannual reports submitted to TNSCZMA and the District Coastal Zone Management Authority (DCZMA). The Environmental Management Plan (EMP) must be strictly implemented during both construction and operation, according to a TNSCZMA meeting held recently.
Key conditions include prohibition on handling hazardous cargo as per the CRZ clearance. ITPCL must also submit a detailed coal handling and transportation plan to MoEF&CC to prevent spillage or contamination during transit.
Furthermore, ITPCL has been directed to develop a Comprehensive Disaster Risk Management Plan to address risks associated with cyclones, flooding, and storm surges, considering the project's coastal location.
Originally, the Captive Port and a 30 MLD desalination plant at Kothattai Village in Cuddalore district received Environmental Clearance (EC) in 2010. However, with the clearance expiring in May 2020, a fresh approval is required under updated MoEF&CC guidelines. The revision reflects a reduced coal demand from ITPCL's Thermal Power Plant, the port's primary recipient.
Sources indicate that over half of the construction was completed before work was suspended following the initial EC approval. In 2024, the project secured fresh Terms of Reference (ToR) from MoEF&CC for its revised scope. The recommendation from TNCZMA is mandatory before the project can be granted EC by the Union ministry.
The port was planned to supply coal to ITPCL's thermal power plant in Cuddalore with a proposed capacity of 3,180 MW. of which 1,200 MW (2x600 MW) plant is currently operational. Coal is imported from Indonesia via Karaikal Port, with lighterage operations proposed as an alternative coal handling method.