The Bombay High Court on Wednesday granted approval to Adani Cementation Limited to clear 158 mangrove trees to make way for a new jetty project along the Amba river in Maharashtra’s Raigad district. Chief Justice Alok Aradhe and Justice Bharati Dangre, who presided over the case, stressed the importance of maintaining an equilibrium between developmental activities and environmental conservation.
The court directed Adani Cementation to comply strictly with the conditions set by environmental regulators, underscoring the necessity to minimize ecological damage. This directive comes amidst growing concerns about the project’s potential impact on the local ecosystem, particularly the mangroves known for their crucial role in coastal protection and biodiversity.
The proposed project includes the construction of a berthing jetty, a conveyor corridor, and an approach road intended to facilitate the transportation of cement, clinker, and raw materials primarily through waterways. The initiative, with an estimated cost of Rs 172 crore, is aimed at alleviating road congestion and reducing carbon emissions by shifting significant freight traffic from roads to sea or inland waterways.
In their ruling, the justices highlighted that while the project is commercially oriented, it also serves a broader public purpose by enhancing the infrastructure capabilities of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, a heavily industrialized area dependent on the regular transport of bulk materials like cement.
“The court recognizes the dual necessity of supporting infrastructure development while also ensuring that such development does not impair the ability of future generations to meet their own needs,” the justices stated. They added that the project’s approach could reduce carbon emissions by over 60 percent, aligning with broader environmental sustainability goals.
