KARACHI:
The Sindh High Court (SHC) rejected on Thursday the reports submitted by the Sindh Environmental Protection Agency (Sepa) and the Karachi Port Trust (KPT) on the compliance of an earlier order for the safe handling and transportation of coal.
At the last hearing, the court had directed KPT to take measures for safe handling of coal being kept at its terminal. The judges had also ordered carrying out an environmental impact assessment (EIA) of the coal handling facility.
The bench had also directed the authorities to ensure that the quantity of coal be reduced to 300,000 tons and that coal should be transported in covered vehicles, along with regular spray of water on the coal stakes.
On Thursday, the KPT filed its reply saying that it has engaged a consultant to conduct the EIA and its term of reference has been finalised. The EIA report will be filed before the Sepa for approval, the law officer assured.
Meanwhile, the Sepa director-general also filed a compliance report, saying that the sprinkling of water on coal heaps was being carried out and the installation of wind breakers was in its initial stage. However, the coal stock of 755,128 tons was available at the coal yard, he added.
The two judges observed, however, that their order has yet to be complied with. They ordered them to submit reports by December 18. The residents of Shireen Jinnah Colony had approached the court against the coal handling facility near the residential area, saying it was hazardous for them.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 6th, 2014.
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