Gujarat High Court orders suspension of operations of companies in APSEZ

AHMEDABAD: Twelve companies operating in the Adani Port and Special Economic Zone at Mundra in Kutch will have to suspend their operations, following an order by Gujarat High Court, as environmental clearance for the project is not granted.

These companies include Ahistrom Fiber Composites (I) Pvt Ltd, Aadi Oil Pvt Ltd, Empezar Logistics Pvt Ltd, Avesta Engineering Pvt Ltd, Ashapura Garments Ltd, Terram Geosynthetics Pvt Ltd, Theramax Ltd, Skaps Industries, Oilfield Warehouse & Services, Dorf Ketal Speciality Catalyst Pvt Ltd, Anjani Udyog Pvt Ltd and Oriental Carbon Chemicals Ltd.

The court has also asked all the respondants to reply within 15 days.

The High Court had in May last year, ordered stopping of all development activities in the upcoming SEZ till the Union Ministry of Environment and Forest (MoEF) gives it an environment clearance.

The move is a result of a Public Interest Litigation ( PIL) filed last year by villagers of Navinal village in Mundra, who alleged that these companies had also imported and exported goods even as the environment clearance is awaited.