Latest news with #EnvironmentalClearance
Time of India
3 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
NGT says interference not required in construction of commando battalion HQ
New Delhi: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has said that its interference is not required in a matter regarding the alleged illegal permission granted for construction of the second Assam Commando Battalion unit headquarters inside the inner line of reserved forest in Assam's Hailakandi district. The tribunal disposed of the matter, saying it had received an affidavit from the state government that the project's construction would be confined to less than 20,000 square metres or around 4.94 acres and according to rules, and Environmental Clearance (EC) was not required for such construction. The green body had taken suo motu (on its own) cognisance of a media report, which alleged that top forest officials of the Assam government had illegally diverted 44 acres of protected forest land for a Commando Battalion Headquarters -- a project which was being executed by the Assam Police Housing Corporation. "In the affidavit dated April 25, 2025, the state of Assam has taken the stand that it will confine its construction to 20,000sqm (19,668sqm to be precise). For such a construction, EC is not required," said a bench of NGT chairperson Prakash Shrivastava in an order dated May 30. The bench also comprising judicial member Justice Sudhir Agarwal and expert member A Senthil Vel noted the state government's affidavit, according to which, "The state government is ready to dismantle all the constructions beyond 20,000sqm and shall not undertake any further construction (of buildings and premises) beyond the said limit, for which no EC is required as per the provisions of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Notification of 2006. " PTI
Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
NGT notes Assam's affidavit, says interference not required in Commando Battalion HQ construction
New Delhi, The National Green Tribunal has said that its interference is not required in a matter regarding the alleged illegal permission granted for construction of the second Assam Commando Battalion unit headquarters inside the inner line of reserved forest in Assam's Hailakandi district. The tribunal disposed of the matter, saying it had received an affidavit from the state government that the project's construction would be confined to less than 20,000 square metres or around 4.94 acres and according to rules, and Environmental Clearance was not required for such construction. The green body had taken suo motu cognisance of a media report, which alleged that top forest officials of the Assam government had illegally diverted 44 acres of protected forest land for a Commando Battalion Headquarters a project which was being executed by the Assam Police Housing Corporation. "In the affidavit dated April 25, 2025, the state of Assam has taken the stand that it will confine its construction to 20,000 sqm . For such a construction, EC is not required," said a bench of NGT chairperson Prakash Shrivastava in an order dated May 30. The bench also comprising judicial member Justice Sudhir Agarwal and expert member A Senthil Vel noted the state government's affidavit, according to which, "The state government is ready to dismantle all the constructions beyond 20,000 sqm and shall not undertake any further construction beyond the said limit, for which no EC is required as per the provisions of the Environmental Impact Assessment Notification of 2006." The tribunal further noted the affidavit, saying that the state government would apply afresh for an additional 8,233 sqm, if required, and that it would strictly abide by all laws, and unless all clearances were obtained under the existing laws, it would not start any further construction. "In the above circumstances, we are of the view that no interference in this original application is required. It is accordingly disposed of," the tribunal said.
New Indian Express
28-05-2025
- General
- New Indian Express
Landslide fear grips Pullampara
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Residents of Pullampara panchayat in Venjaramoodu are increasingly anxious as the monsoon gains strength, with the Neenu Crusher Industry quarry still operational despite its permit expiring on Monday. Locals allege that panchayat secretary P Sunilkumar extended the quarry's permit for another year without the governing committee's approval. Approximately 50 houses in the area sit on a vulnerable slope, and cracks have already developed in at least 15 of them. Last year, a late-night landslip originating from behind the quarry destroyed two homes. Fortunately, seven people, including four children, were rescued just in time. Panchayat president P V Rajesh criticised the actions of Sunilkumar, claiming the decision lacked transparency and bypassed democratic processes. 'While he has the authority to issue a licence, he should have consulted the governing committee, given the genuine concerns of the community. We have collectively decided to take legal action,' Rajesh said. Sunilkumar, who is retiring from service on May 31, has reportedly gone on leave since the controversy arose. Residents have lodged complaints with both the chief minister's and the industries minister's offices. According to an interim Kerala High Court order, the quarry's permit was valid only until May 26, 2025. Locals accuse the quarry management of relying on a 2018 Environmental Clearance that contained false claims about the distance between the quarry and their homes to gain approval for an extension. Residents from Pullampara, Mamoodu, and Mukkodil report that the blasts from the quarry shake their homes, causing significant damage. Many are living in cracked houses, dreading the upcoming rains. In March 2025, State Environmental Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA) rejected the quarry's application, citing illegal operations and outstanding fines. The Department of Geology confirmed the presence of cracks in several homes but indicated that a vibration test was necessary to determine if blasting caused the damage.
Hindustan Times
12-05-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
GMADA plays with fire, puts up Purab Premium flats for sale sans safety nod
The Greater Mohali Area Development Authority (GMADA) on Saturday set in motion the e-auction of 227 unsold flats at Purab Premium Apartments in Sector 88. But it has left out an important detail: the project, even after seven years of construction, lacks the fire no-objection certificate (NOC), highlighting the authority's apathy and leaving hundreds of residents vulnerable to potential fire disasters. In the ongoing auction, the reserve price for a three-bedroom flat has been set at ₹1.12 crore, while a two-bedroom flat is priced at ₹89 lakh and a one-bedroom flat at ₹60 lakh. The auction is scheduled to conclude on May 19. Once touted as a game changer among high-rise residential projects in Mohali, Purab Premium Apartments have since failed to meet expectations and are, in fact, facing mounting criticism over shoddy infrastructure. In 2017, GMADA constructed a total of 1,620 flats of three types (Type-I, Type-II, and Type-III) in Sector 88. Of these, 1,115 have already been allotted, including 167 flats earmarked for government employees. Of the remaining unsold flats, 227 have now been put up for auction. The project comprises 27 towers, each housing 60 flats. A senior fire officer from Mohali stated that the project could not secure a fire NOC in absence of compliance with fire safety directives. 'There are several anomalies and unless these are addressed, the NOC will not be granted,' the officer said, not wishing to be named. On GMADA's part, chief administrator Vishesh Sarangal said, 'As far as the fire NOC is concerned, I am not aware of the current status and will take it up with the engineering department. If the NOC has not been issued, it is indeed a serious matter.' The project is also in legal crosshairs over blatant environmental violations. In February this year, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) had come down heavily on GMADA over this and directed then chief administrator Moneesh Kumar to conduct an inquiry to identify officers responsible for these violations and submit an action-taken report to its registrar general within three months. Sarangal confirmed that the inquiry was in its final stage and action will soon be taken against the guilty officials. Moreover, over two years after the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) in September 2022 imposed a compensation of ₹1.02 crore on GMADA for the environmental violations at the project, the tribunal had asked the board to impose further penalty on the authority. While GMADA had paid the penalty for violations committed between August 31, 2022, and March 31, 2023, the NGT observed that violations occurred both before and after this period. The tribunal's action came following a petition by the Purab Premium Apartments Allottees Association and resident SK Loona, accusing GMADA of violating essential Environmental Clearance (EC) conditions, including non-installation of a Sewage Treatment Plant (STP). Speaking to HT, Loona said, 'It's shocking that the project lacks a fire NOC even seven years after construction. GMADA has also ignored environmental norms, putting residents' lives at risk.' Project also under vigilance scanner What's more, the project also came under the scanner of the Punjab Vigilance Bureau. In November 2020, residents filed a written complaint alleging the use of sub-standard construction material. They claimed that the promises made in the promotional brochure were not reflected in the Detailed Notice Inviting Tenders (DNIT), and raised concerns over serious financial irregularities. The contract for the project was awarded to Simplex Infrastructure Private Limited. Following the complaint, the Vigilance Bureau collected samples of the construction material used in the project. However, even after five years, the report is still awaited.
Business Standard
02-05-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
Laxmi Organic receives Environmental Clearance for its upcoming synthetic organic chemicals unit in Dahej
Laxmi Organic Industries has received Environmental Clearance (EC) from the State Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA), Gujarat constituted under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, for its upcoming Synthetic Organic Chemicals Manufacturing site at Dahej, Village Jolve and Vadadala, District Bharuch, Gujarat. Powered by Capital Market - Live News
