Shut pollutant Karaikal port, says Nagore forum

A division bench of Justices TS Sivagnanam and K Ravichandrabaabu ordered notice returnable by January 5, 2018. The PIL moved by Nagore Samooga Aarvalargal Amaippu wanted the authorities to shut down the private port since it causes serious health hazards to residents and fisher folks living around the port. The plea contended that 80 per cent of such cargo was coal and besides coal mounts in open places its transportation by vehicle causes health hazards of the highest order to the Nagore residents.

The plea also noted that despite assurances of mechanising the coal handling system and that they would stop handling coal in the port if the facility was not put in place by September 30, 2016, nothing has been done till date.