The Environment and Forests Ministry has put on hold construction of Nirma's 1.91 tonne per annum capacity cement plant, along with its captive power and coke oven plant near Padhiarka village in Bhavnagar district. It has sent them a show-cause notice, as to why its environment clearance of December 2008 should not be revoked.
Ordering stoppage of implementation of the project with immediate effect to avoid any further damage to the wetland on the basis of the report of the Experts Appraisal Committee, the ministry permitted a personal hearing to Nirma Limited on March 16 or 17 before making work
stoppage permanent.
The environment clearance for the project was challenged in the Gujarat high court, and the matter is now pending before the Supreme Court. The EAC concluded that the cement plant in the vicinity of the water body will affect the eco-system, and hence have asked the company to opt for alternative sites that does not impact the wet land.
The ministry had referred the issue to the EAC after locals protested at the plant, fearing that it would result in an increased salinity of water.