KARACHI, Feb 6: The Karachi Port Trust has not yet submitted the environmental impact assessment (EIA) report of its deep-water container port project that is being undertaken at a cost of $1.6 billion.

The inauguration of dredging and reclamation works of the project titled “Pakistan Deep Water Container Port” was held in 2009.

The project is the first of its kind in the region, according to KPT officials.

Conservationists fear long-term effects of the unchecked port development works.

Their major concerns include the dumping of the unutilised dredged material into the sea that could have an adverse impact on coastal resources and their value and possible harm to the Clifton Oyster Rocks — a series of islands located off the coast of Clifton.

The extensive port activities, the conservationists believe, would also aggravate traffic problems in the area as the existing road infrastructure was not adequate to cater to the future needs of the container carriers and tractor-trailers coming out of the port.

Speaking to Dawn , Sindh Environment Protection Agency (Sepa) director general Naeem A. Mughal said that the KPT had not yet submitted the mandatory EIA report required under the provision of the Pakistan Environmental and Protection Act, 1997.

“We had sent them a letter almost a year ago when the matter was highlighted in the media. Later, we sent a reminder. But, unfortunately, there has been no response yet,” he said, adding that the organisation would wait for some time and then take the matter to the environmental tribunal.

Upon contact, KPT general manager of planning and development retired brigadier Syed Jamshed Zaidi said that the EIA report would be submitted to the federal body for environment protection as their organisation was also under the federal government. “We are waiting for our consultant's final comments who is currently abroad. The report will be submitted within two to three weeks. The federal Environment Protection Agency will then send the report to the provincial organisation looking after environmental affairs,” he said, adding that two EIA reports of the KPT related to the reconstruction of some berths were already with Sepa.

Answering a question about the environmental concerns, he said the Oyster Rocks were part of the heritage and no damage would occur to them.

“The KPT is an old organisation having 100 years' experience in dredging. The dredged material is being dumped at a site which is at a distance of 12 to 13km from the coast and about 20 meters deep inside the sea. Some material is being used for reclamation.”

Regarding the project's progress he said that it was at different stages of development according to the nature of the work.

According to brigadier Zaidi the project is expected to be completed in 2013.

It needs to be mentioned here that the project involves massive dredging and land reclamation works that is being carried out to the south-east of the existing port.

The project comprises four development stages, marine protection works, quay wall construction works, dredging and land reclamation works and navigational aids.