Deliberate 'error' in affidavit by IAS official? Kerala government to investigate

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala government will investigate the delay shown in amending an affidavit submitted to the High Court—despite having received environmental clearance for the subsequent phases of the Vizhinjam Port development. There are also rumours that it is a willful move to sabotage development around the port.

The allegation is directed at K. Gopalakrishnan, the head of the Coastal Zone Management Authority. Both the Vizhinjam Port company and Port Secretary Rattan Kelkar informed Gopalakrishnan about receiving the environmental clearance needed for construction at the Pulinkudi beach, which is part of the Vizhinjam Port development master plan.

Even after this, Gopalakrishnan made errors in the affidavit submitted to the High Court. An investigation will be conducted to determine whether this was part of an attempt to obstruct the government's 'Mission Samudra' project. Taking the affidavit into consideration, the High Court ordered a halt to the construction activities. The Union Ministry of Environment had also directed that the process for granting environmental clearance be re-examined.

Accordingly, officials from the Bengaluru regional office of the Ministry of Environment will arrive in Vizhinjam by next week. A fresh inspection will be conducted in the presence of representatives from the port company, officials from the Ports Department, and the complainant. In an affidavit submitted in September, Gopalakrishnan stated that the construction at Pulinkudi beach is neither part of the existing master plan for Vizhinjam nor covered by the clearance granted by the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.