The National Green Tribunal (NGT), Southern Bench, on Friday dismissed an application filed by Ennore Tank Terminals Private Limited (ETTPL) suggesting oil marketing companies (OMCs) use its ‘common user marine liquid terminal’ already established in Ennore.
The Bench comprising its judicial member, Justice M. Chockalingam and expert member Prof. R. Nagendran said “ETTPL’s application doesn’t carry any merit and the tribunal is unable to notice any public interest in the proposal.”
Earlier, V.P. Krishnamoorthy, of Old Washermanpet, had filed an application seeking to shift the OMCs from the densely populated north Chennai following leakages reported from pipelines in Tondiarpet.
The NGT had directed the Union government to chalk out long-term and short-term measures to remedy the contamination. Later, the OMCs announced that their terminals would be shifted to Ennore, where they would commission them in three years.
Meanwhile, ETTPL, a public-private partnership company last month submitted that its terminal had adequate infrastructure, and the OMCs would be able to supply directly from the tanks and eliminate the need for transporting oil through pipelines.
Opposing the proposal, the counsel for the OMCs said ETTPL was an independent entity with commercial interest and stood in the way of setting up separate terminals in Ennore. The OMCs have taken measures to shift their operation to Ennore and 100 acres was allotted for the purpose.
Dismissing the application, the Bench noted that if the application of ETTPL was allowed, it would be tantamount to asking or directing the OMCs to enter into contract with the company.
The Bench directed the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board to file a status report on the steps taken as short-term measures in next hearing.
