V.O.C. Port Trust bags Gold Award Outstanding Achievement in Environment Management

The Greentech Foundation, an agency recognized by the Ministry of Shipping, New Delhi, has presented Gold Award to V. O. Chidambaranar Port Trust for Outstanding Achievement in Environment Management for the year 2012. This Foundation is presenting awards for Environmental Excellence and implementing Environmental Management System in different sectors like manufacturing, steel, coal, oil, port and service every year.

V. O. Chidambaranar Port Trust handles a variety of cargo like thermal coal, industrial coal, fertilizer raw materials, finished fertilizers and various liquid cargoes. Considering the sensitivity of pollution arising out of handling such materials in the port area, the Port Management has been proactive in implementing an Environmental Management System leading to ISO 14001 Certification in the year 2005.

As part of the ongoing and continual improvement of facilities and services to mitigate the environmental pollution, the Port Management has implemented several innovative projects like erection of wind barrier, sprinkler system, sweeping of road by mechanized road sweeping machine, modern sewage treatment plant, solid waste management system and oil booms for handling oil vessels at a cost of around Rs. 7 crores. A green cover has been created to combat pollution levels in the port area.

Considering the commitment of the management for a sustainable environment through its Environmental Management System, the Greentech Foundation Expert Committee awarded Gold Award for the year 2011, preceded by Silver Award for the earlier three consecutive years. This prestigious Gold Award was received by Mr. E. J. Tensingh, Chief Engineer, on Oct. 30 from Dr. Bhaskar Chatterjee, Director General and CEO (retd.), Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs, Ministry of Corporate Affairs, Government of India, in the presence of Mr. Kamaleshwar Sharan, President, Greentech Foundation, at a function organized in Hyderabad.

Mr. S.Natarajan, Chairman i/c, congratulated all the stake holders who have shown exemplary commitment for implementation of Environmental Management System.  He also thanked all the officers, employees and workers of the port on the achievement of Gold Award.

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