KOCHI: The Cochin Port Trust has said that it has been following up all steps required for environmental clearances for the proposed International Container Transshipment Terminal (ICTT) Project at Vallarpadam.

The clearances are required for the main terminal facilities, a national highway from Vallarpadam to Kalamassery, and rail connectivity.

A press release from the port trust here on Friday said steps required for the timely completion of the project were being taken by it as per schedule, and there was no reason for concern.

The Ministry of Environment and Forests had accorded environmental clearance for the construction of the four-lane highway. As for the rail connectivity, the clearance was being directly handled by the Railway Board and Rail Vikas Nigam Ltd., the release added.

For the environmental clearance for the main terminal facilities and deepening of the channels, the trust had applied to the Ministry of Environment and Forests.

Based on the issues raised during the hearing of the Expert Committee of Environment for Infrastructure Projects, which discussed the case, the Ministry asked the trust in February 2006 for a range of information and study reports for considering the case.

The trust, accordingly, appointed the Central Water and Power Research Station, Pune, to study the hydrological impact of proposed constructions and deepening of the channels.

The Bhaba Atomic Research Centre (BARC) and the National Institute of Oceanography were also involved in studies.

The study by the research station and BARC would continue during the monsoon, as the impact of monsoon winds, waves and hydrodynamics form part of it.

It is expected that the study report will be available by mid-September, after which data would be furnished to the Ministry.

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