Karachi: The Sindh Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA) recently approved a coal storage facility in Bin Qasim Town’s Deh Ghangiyaro area, according to a news source. The environmental body granted this approval after carrying out an Initial Environmental Examination (IEE).
An IEE is a preliminary environmental review which is carried out for projects which have no significant negative impact on the environment. Such reviews do not require public review.
The approved coal storage facility spans over 23 acres, and is located in the Deh Ghangiyaro area of Bin Qasim Town. This project was proposed by the Pakistan International Bulk Terminal (PIBT). PIBT is currently handling Pakistan’s largest amount of imported coal (approximately 8 million tonnes out of the country’s total of 20 million tonnes).
The Supreme Court of Pakistan had announced in 2018 that open coal would not be stored anywhere in Karachi, and directed companies to arrange appropriate storage facilities in coordination with the Karachi Port Trust. With this facility, PIBT will be able to import coal according to its capacity.
