It has been indicated that the high-powered committee (HPC) that was established to examine the environmental clearance (EC) granted to the Centre's ambitious Great Nicobar transshipment port project is likely to provide its approval for the proposed project. The project has been on hold since April.

On April 3, the Kolkata Bench of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) imposed a two-month halt on any further work in relation to the EC that was granted for the project. The order stated that the Rs 410 billion project would remain on hold until the committee appointed by the NGT scrutinises the green approval given by the Centre. The committee was given a two-month period to analyse the "unanswered deficiencies" in the EC, which allegedly did not adequately address the significant environmental and regulatory concerns associated with the development of the mega port. The Centre intends to construct the port through a public-private partnership mode.

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