Plea Claiming Vizhinjam Sea Port Construction Causing Noise Pollution: Kerala HC Directs To Produce EHS Guidelines On Noise Standards
A writ petition has been filed before the Kerala High Court complaining that the noise pollution has been caused due to the construction of the Vizhinjam Sea Port.
The High Court has on Tuesday directed the respondent companies to produce the Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) guidelines on the noise standards.
A Single Bench of Justice Viju Abraham said, “The respondents shall produce a copy of the order passed by the National Green Tribunal whereby a monitory agency has been appointed and also a copy of the IFC-EHS General guidelines regarding the noise standard for the perusal of this court. The submission of the respondents 1 and 2 that they shall maintain the sound limit fixed as per the schedule attached to the Noise Pollution (Regulation & Control) Rules, 2000 is recorded.”
Advocate Anjali A.S. and Advocate Praveen Vyasan appeared for the petitioner while Senior Advocate V.J. Mathew appeared for the respondents.
In this case, the petitioner prayed before the High Court to pass an interim order directing the respondents to desist from undertaking noise-making construction activities during the night hours in the vicinity of the Vizhinjam Project area until the disposal of the writ petition.
The two companies i.e., the respondents contended that the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has issued an order appointing a monitoring agency to keep watch over all the seaport construction-related activities, including the issue of noise pollution.
The High Court in the above context recorded the submission of the two companies that they were adhering to the sound limit fixed as per the Schedule attached to the Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000, during the seaport construction.
“Post after 10 days”, the Court said.
The court, therefore, directed the respondents to place before it the NGT order appointing a monitoring body to oversee the construction activities, including the issue of noise pollution.
Accordingly, the Court issued necessary directions.
Cause Title- Bethsaida Hermitage v. Vizhinjam International Sea Port Ltd. & Ors.
Click here to read/download the Order
