The High Court in the Indian state of Kerala heard a contempt of court petition filed by the Adani port authorities on why the local govt hasn’t banned protests/public gatherings in the Vizhinjam coastal region despite a previous court ruling saying the construction project shouldn’t be blocked.

Adani, a company owned by billionaire Indian businessman Gautam Adani, plans to build a $900 million mega container transshipment port that would connect manufacturers in the East and consumer markets in the West.

Locals allege the port construction has caused erosion of the coast and impacted their livelihoods.

They have been protesting against the project and want the government to halt construction and conduct independent studies on the impact on the marine ecosystem.

Aljazeera.