Afcons appeals fine ahead of payment deadline

India’s Afcons company has appealed against the Environment Protection Agency (EPA) decision to impose a fine on the company for the damages caused to the Villimale reef after one of their floating platforms went adrift and crashed onto the reef, during the ongoing construction of the Thilamale Bridge.

Afcons' platform, which was used to survey the bridge area and drill boreholes for the construction of pillars, ran aground Villimale reef on 16 August. Following a study conducted by the EPA, the agency had granted the company a month to pay MVR 69.4 million as penalty for the damage caused to the reef. The EPA said the fine had not been paid even till last Thursday.

Two trusted sources confirmed to Atoll Times, that Afcons has approached the minister seeking a review of the EPA's decision. It is learnt that the EPA's decision was sent for appeal on Thursday.

The ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The EPA's 30-day deadline to pay the fine expires on Tuesday. 

According to the regulations, the minister can appeal the EPA's decisions. The minister has the power to issue a review or a relaxation.

The platform was stuck onto the reef for more than a week. At the time, the public had expressed concern that the delay in dislodging it would cause further damage to the reef.

Not accepting the EPA report, and Afcons conducted a survey on its own. In November, EPA fined Afcons after taking into account the agency's survey as well as the Afcons survey reports.