Despite massive resistance from the environment activists, locals and political opposition, the expansion at Kattupalli Port near Chennai by Adani Ports had earlier made it to the public hearing stage.
However, the Thiruvallur district administration has postponed a public hearing for now.
According to a report by Business Standard, the hearing was postponed in order to avoid a gathering in the wake of the COVID pandemic.
Adani Ports and SEZ’s subsidiary Marine Infrastructure Development Private Ltd had applied for environmental clearance for a Rs 4,000-crore port and harbour project that is part of a Rs 53,400-crore masterplan.
The hearing which was scheduled to be held on January 22, drew pressure from opposition parties who wanted the Tamil Nadu government to cancel the public hearing on the port.
K Kanimozhi, MP and senior DMK leader, said the plan that Adani Ports submitted to develop Kattupalli Port has major issues that the government must look into.
She said that the government must take into account the loss of livelihood, flooding and ecological damage the construction work would lead to.
She said the state needs to invest for industrial development but it cannot come at the cost of ecology and environment.
Environment activists say the port expansion project could potentially lead to an increase in pollution, and impact biodiversity.