Latest news with #EnvironmentalClearance
Time of India
5 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
SC upholds SEIAA and SEAC's authority for project-level environmental clearances
NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court (SC) has clarified that the State Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA) and the State Expert Appraisal Committee (SEAC) will remain the competent authorities for granting environmental clearances at the project level. The apex court's ruling resolves a prolonged regulatory deadlock that had stalled over 493 real estate projects in Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) and Pune , impacting more than 70,000 housing units, particularly within the affordable and mid-income segments. The court's intervention is expected to bring much-needed clarity to the process of obtaining environment clearances and is anticipated to restore momentum to housing construction in the region. The petitioners challenged the constitutional validity of a 29 January 2025 notification issued by the Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change (MoEF&CC). This notification provided two main things in relation to Item 8(a) [Building and Construction Projects] and 8(b) [Township Area & Development Project] of the Schedule to the Environment Impact Assessment dated 14 September 2006 ('EIA 2006 Notification'): (a) exemption of industrial sheds, schools, and educational institutions from Environmental Clearance (EC) requirements, and (b) clarification that the General Condition under the EIA 2006 Notification would not apply to such projects. Under the EIA 2006 notification, projects such as Building & Construction and Township & Area Development with more than 20,000 sq meters. Built-up area (BUA) are required to procure an EC before construction can begin. The Schedule of the EIA 2006 notification includes a General Condition (GC) mandating that if a project is within 5km of a protected area, eco-sensitive zone, or inter-state/international boundary, it becomes a category A project, subject to appraisal by the Central Expert Appraisal Committee. The court upheld the constitutional validity of the 2025 notification but struck down Note 1 to Item 8(a) of the EIA 2006 Schedule, which had exempted industrial sheds, schools, and educational institutions from obtaining mandatory environmental clearances. The Court found these exemptions to be unconstitutional and ultra vires the parent notification. The SC also quashed Clause 14(a) and Appendix 16 of the 2014 and 2016 notifications that had proposed establishing an Environmental Cell under local authorities. The Court held that such provisions would cause jurisdictional overlaps and confusion, undermining the integrity of environmental appraisal processes. In its interpretation of the General Condition (GC) under the EIA 2006 Notification—which elevates certain Category B projects to Category A status if located within ecologically sensitive areas, SC reaffirmed that GC does not apply to Items 8(a) and 8(b). This settles ambiguity raised after the Kerala High Court had earlier set aside the 2014 MoEF&CC clarification on this matter in One Earth One Life v. Union of India (March 2024). Impact on real estate development The judgement brings regulatory certainty and uniformity in how environmental clearances are to be administered, particularly for projects over 20,000 sq meters built-up area, which must secure clearance before commencing construction. This decision is expected to unblock stalled housing supply, especially in regions that had been hit by inconsistent interpretations of clearance norms. Domnic Romell, president, CREDAI-MCHI, said, "We initiated this petition to bring clarity to an increasingly complex and ambiguous environmental clearance process , and we are grateful that the Supreme Court has upheld the role of SEIAA and SEAC as competent authorities." Trilegal represented CREDAI National and Godrej Properties. Samit Shukla, partner (Dispute Resolution Practice), Trilegal said, "This judgement brings much-needed clarity on the scope of environmental regulation for real estate projects. The Supreme Court's recognition that General Conditions under the EIA 2006 Notification do not apply to projects under Items 8(a) and 8(b) ensures regulatory certainty and paves the way for timely development." Case No.: W.P.(C) No.-000166-000166 - 2025, Vanashakti vs Union of India.
The Hindu
02-08-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Parandur airport project likely to be delayed by a year, land acquisition poses a challenge
Chennai's second airport at Parandur may be delayed by a year. Sources said, land acquisition poses a major challenge and is one of the primary reasons for the delay of the project. 'The plan was to float the tender shortly. But we need to have a substantial amount of land in possession to go ahead with the tender. Since Ekanapuram residents are not participating, and the runway itself is coming up there, land acquisition is going to be delayed significantly and as a result, tenders too cannot be floated now,' a source said. Though the Tamil Nadu government commenced the land acquisition recently and some people came forward to hand over their land parcels for the project, a massive portion still remains to come in possession of the government. Originally, the Tamil Nadu government estimate was to complete the land acquisition by October 2025 and start the groundwork for the project by January 2026. This way, phase I will be finished by December 2028. But now, if tenders itself are going to be floated only next year, then the project completion date will be pushed by a year to December 2029 or early 2030. It is to be noted that the Steering Committee's meeting for obtaining the Environmental Clearance is slated to be held by the end of this year and they already had the Tamil Nadu government to provide for a series of reports before that. But sources said, Environment Clearance too may come through only next year. One source indicated that more ground-level data is needed to complete the study required to be submitted to the Steering Committee for Environment Clearance. And this can be done only if the consultant is able to enter Ekanapuram and collect the data. Another source said, the State government is chalking out plans on how to carry out the measures to preserve the water bodies as recommended by the Water Resources Department and also the Hydrogeological Report. For the Parandur airport project whose cost is Rs 27,400 crore for all four phases, the State government will need 5,369 acres in about 20 villages in Kancheepuram and Sriperumbudur.
New Indian Express
20-07-2025
- New Indian Express
NGT orders probe into illegal sand mining at Gunadei Brahmani river quarry
CUTTACK: The National Green Tribunal (NGT)'s east zone bench in Kolkata formed a fact-finding committee on Friday to investigate the allegations of illegal sand mining at Gunadei Brahmani river sand quarry in Dhenkanal. The order came in response to a petition filed by Talcher-based Youth United for Sustainable Environment Trust. The petition alleged large-scale violations of the Sustainable Sand Mining Management Guidelines, 2016, at the quarry, which spans 11.80 acre in Gunadei village under Odapada tehsil. The Trust claimed that the project was continuing operations illegally, without the necessary Environmental Clearance (EC) transfer and in violation of conditions attached to the original EC granted in favour of the tehsildar on March 30, 2021. The bench comprising Justice B Amit Sthalekar and Dr Arun Kumar Verma, issued notices to the state government, SEIAA, State Pollution Control Board, MoEF&CC, and the lessee. The five-member fact-finding committee has been tasked to investigate the site and submit a report within three weeks. In the order, the bench noted the EC was liable to be revoked after May 2022 if a satisfactory Annual Rate of Replenishment Study was not submitted, a condition that remains unmet.
Time of India
12-07-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Yamunanagar faces pollution crisis: 8 formaldehyde plants under scrutiny of pollution board
Yamunanagar: As the 15-day deadline given to eight formaldehyde manufacturing units in Yamunanagar by the Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB), it raises serious questions about the next course of action by the district administration. These units were and are still operating without mandatory environmental clearances and in violation of the Water Act and Air Act and the order of the Supreme Court. As per Sudhir Mohan, Executive Regional Officer (ERO) of the Yamunanagar of HSPCB, plant owners were issued notices on June 21 under the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, and the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981. They were asked to show cause why prosecution, closure orders, and environmental compensation should not be initiated against them. These eight units are established in different parts of Yamunanagar district including Yamunanagar, Jathlana, Jagadhri, Chhachhrauli, Radaur and others. ERO Sudhir said these units have submitted their replies after the notices, which are currently under scrutiny. He said after the scrutiny the report will be sent to the HSPCB headquarters for further action. The HSPCB in its notices warned that if they fail to meet the required environmental standards and secure Environmental Clearance (EC), closure notices will be issued. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Don't Pay Full Price for 2025's Top Games! Shop Now Undo The fate of these formaldehyde units could have a ripple effect on the local plywood industry. Formaldehyde is an essential chemical used in the production of resin, which binds plywood layers together. Without it, the industry cannot function. This chemical's pollution has cancer causing substances, said Yamunanagar deputy civil surgeon. According to JK Bihani, District President of the Plywood Factory Association, 'Formaldehyde is the backbone of the plywood industry. If these plants shut down, over 160 active plywood units could follow, especially when 190 have already closed due to recession.' Formaldehyde is classified as a hazardous chemical known to cause health issues like cancer, respiratory irritation, allergies, and skin problems. Its industrial use, especially in adhesive resins, requires strict regulation and environmental approval, which many of the plants had reportedly bypassed for years. Officials say a final decision on enforcement actions, including possible shutdowns, will be made after examining the responses submitted by the plant operators. As scrutiny continues, the region's critical plywood manufacturing economy hangs in the balance. Yamunanagar deputy civil surgeon Dr Divya Mangla said, 'When formaldehyde is dissolved in water, it is very hazardous for the human body. It can lead to irritation, respiratory problems and even can lead to cancer. It is very important to stop pollution from this chemical and protect air, water and the environment for better human health.' With the deadline now passed and the stakes high, the coming days will be crucial for Yamunanagar's environment and economy alike.
Time of India
05-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Hindustan Copper to revive Kendadih, Rakha mines in Jharkhand; production capacity to rise
New Delhi: State-owned Hindustan Copper Ltd (HCL) is preparing to restart operations at its Kendadih and Rakha copper mines in Jharkhand, a senior company official said. The revival of the two mines is expected to substantially increase the company's ore production capacity and support domestic supply amid rising demand for copper. The Kendadih mine is projected to begin with an annual production of 0.22 million tonnes, which will be gradually scaled up to 0.45 million tonnes. The Rakha mine is expected to reach a peak production capacity of 3 million tonnes per annum once fully operational, the official said. Both mines are undergoing a transition from opencast to underground mining and are expected to have an operational life of over 50 years. 'The lease execution with the Jharkhand state government is in process, and the proposal for amendment to the Environmental Clearance (EC) is under review by the Ministry of Environment , Forest and Climate Change,' the official said. The Kendadih and Rakha mines are located within HCL's Indian Copper Complex in East Singhbhum district of Jharkhand, which also houses the company's smelting and refining facilities at Ghatsila. The reopening of the mines is part of HCL's plan to ramp up its ore production from the current level of around 4 million tonnes per annum to 12.2 million tonnes per annum by 2030-31. The company has earmarked over ₹2,000 crore for mine expansion and development under this programme. India's refined copper demand stood at approximately 1.3 million tonnes in 2023-24 and is projected to double to 2.6 million tonnes by 2030, driven by growing requirements from sectors such as renewable energy, electric vehicles, construction, and electronics.
