``Since the DTEPA has recommended that permission should not be granted for the project, it is now up to the Wadhawan International Ports promoted by P and O to obtain environmental clearance from the Centre,'' Revenue and Port Minister Narayan Rane told The Indian Express

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Rane, also a strong supporter of the project, said as per the conditions laid down in the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by the State government and P and O, the later had taken upon itself the responsibility of obtaining statutory permissions from the concerned authorities before the project's execution. Incidentally, this was the only project for which MoU was signed duringthe `Advantage Maharashtra' meet held in Mumbai last year to attract foreign investments.

Rane said, ``Now, P and O should approach the concerned authority or the High Court to challenge the DTEPA recommendation to okay the project. In the event, it approaches the High Court, we'll certainly support them since we are party to the MoU.'' He added further, if P and O fails in the Court, Maharashtra State will also suffer with it as developmental activities will be adversely affected.

Criticising the opponents of the project, Rane said, after he personally interacted with the fishermen there, he is certain that the project is being opposed for their personal gains. ``If the project does not take-off, neither the government nor the company will be the loser, but the small fishermen in the entire belt will be the major sufferers,'' Rane added.

The Dahanu Tehsil Environmental Protection Authority was constituted by the Ministry of Environment and Forest in October, 1996 following the Supreme Court directives.Inter-alia, the authority headed by Justice Dharmadhikari was asked to submit a comprehensive report on the construction of new projects, ports and allied activities.

In his report submitted to the government last week, Dharmadhikari specifically observed that permission for the Wadhavan port should not be granted as it was against the guidelines laid down by the Centre.

Taking cognisance of the notification issued by the Ministry of Forest and Environment on February 19, 1991, the authority felt that since the area earmarked for the port by the State government falls within the Coastal Regulation Zone (I), the project is impermissible. ``Since the area is within 500 metres from the high tide line, it will be highly improper to grant permission for such a project in the eco-sensitive Dahanu tehsil,'' the authority submitted.

On the other hand, Rane felt that under the amended notification of July 19, 1997, the project is fit for clearance. ``The notification clearly exempts activities like developmentof ports and such other allied activities from the preview of the earlier notification of 1991,'' he said.

When his attention was drawn to the rehabilitation of the fishermen and other workers of the area, Rane said that as per the provisions of the MoU, it was the responsibility of P and O to first relocate or rehabilitate the locals and then start the project work.

In addition, Rane said his government was also determined to enhance the economic status of the fishermen by providing them soft loans for buying fishing trawlers and other equipment needed for earning their livelihood.

``It was unfortunate that a project, which would have helped in the industrial progress of the State was being opposed for insignificant reasons. At the moment, it takes more than 15 days to unload the ship. If the port is developed fully, it will less than eight hours for the same work,'' Rane said.

During his weekly media briefing, when the contents of the Justice Dharmadhikari's report were brought to the notice ofChief Minister Manohar Joshi, he was optimistic of getting necessary permission for the project. ``We will try to convince Justice Dharmadhikari that the project is needed for the State,'' Joshi had remarked.