Latest news with #NOC
NDTV
3 hours ago
- Business
- NDTV
'Not Irrational, Arbitrary': Jetty Near Gateway Of India Cleared By High Court
Mumbai: In a major boost for Mumbai's coastal infrastructure, the Bombay High Court on Tuesday dismissed a series of public interest litigations challenging the construction of a passenger jetty and terminal near the iconic Gateway of India. Affirming its legality and public necessity, the court gave its nod for the ambitious waterfront project, being carried out by the Maharashtra government and Mumbai Maritime Board (MMB), but also issued directives to ensure that public interest and statutory safeguards remain paramount. The verdict came after months of heated arguments between local residents' associations, environmentalists, and the State. The petitioners, including the Clean Heritage Colaba Residents Association and prominent citizens raised concerns about environmental degradation, flawed site selection, heritage violations, and a lack of public consultation. Project In Public Interest, Not Arbitrary: Court Delivering the judgment, Chief Justice Alok Aradhe and Justice Sandeep V Marne held that the project was a considered policy decision made in public interest and fell within the permissible framework of the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) 2019 Notification. "The decision to locate the project near Radio Club, despite historical preference for Ferry Wharf, does not render it irrational or arbitrary," the court observed, adding, "Policy decisions cannot be interfered with unless they are manifestly arbitrary, which is not the case here." The court also noted that all relevant regulatory approvals, including CRZ clearance from the Maharashtra Coastal Zone Management Authority (MCZMA), heritage no-objection certificate (NOC) from Mumbai Heritage Conservation Committee (MHCC), and permissions from the Archaeological Department and Mumbai Traffic Police had been duly obtained. Judicial Review Limited In Technical, Policy Matters Emphasising judicial restraint, the court cited past Supreme Court judgments that said courts must defer to expert bodies on infrastructure and environmental matters unless decisions are mala fide or ultra vires. The judges rejected the petitioners' argument that the proposed jetty could not be treated as a "standalone" facility. The project includes a 570-metre-long racquet-shaped jetty with 10 boarding platforms, a terminal with a VIP lounge, parking for 150 cars, cafes, a food court, and an amphitheatre. Despite these facilities, the court accepted the state's argument that these were ancillary to a passenger jetty, thus qualifying it for clearance by the state-level MCZMA rather than the central Ministry of Environment. Concerns Addressed A central plank of the petitioners' argument was a report submitted in 2000 by consulting engineers recommending Ferry Wharf as the most environmentally and operationally suitable site. However, the court found that the MMB was not bound by the two-decade-old report, especially in light of changing urban dynamics and expert inputs from subsequent Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) studies. "Even assuming Ferry Wharf was once preferable, the MMB's departure from it is not unjustified," the court ruled. "There is no obligation to follow prior expert recommendations in perpetuity, especially when alternate expert assessments have validated the current site." Critically Vulnerable Coastal Area? On the argument that the project falls within a "critically vulnerable coastal area," the bench held that the CRZ 2019 notification and subsequent amendments permitted construction of standalone passenger jetties in such zones, subject to safeguards. The petitioners' fear that the development would damage heritage views and marine ecology were also dismissed as speculative. The court also noted the extensive mitigation measures and the fact that similar projects in the vicinity had previously received clearances. Decongestion Benefits The court took note of the public benefit the project seeks to bring. It would "decongest the traffic and tourism load" at the Gateway of India and modernise the long-standing but outdated jetty infrastructure. The judgment emphasised that more than 3.5 million passengers currently use the makeshift jetties annually, often in unsafe and unsanitary conditions. The new terminal aims to provide secure boarding, emergency facilities, accessibility for the disabled, and structured traffic management. Safeguards While dismissing the petitions against the Colaba passenger jetty project, the court also issued a series of directions to ensure that the development does not violate environmental or heritage norms and remains within the regulatory framework. The directions are as follows: Mandatory compliance with approvals: The Mumbai Maritime Board and executing authorities must strictly adhere to all conditions imposed by the Maharashtra Coastal Zone Management Authority, Mumbai Heritage Conservation Committee, the Archaeological Department, and the Mumbai Traffic Police. Any violation will be treated as non-compliance with statutory approvals. Ancillary facilities to remain secondary: Facilities such as the amphitheatre, food court, cafe, and VIP lounge proposed as part of the terminal are to remain incidental to the jetty's primary purpose as a passenger terminal. They cannot be expanded or operated in a way that changes the nature of the project into a commercial or recreational venture. Periodic monitoring by MCZMA: The MCZMA is directed to carry out regular monitoring of the project's construction and operational phases to ensure there are no unauthorised modifications or breaches of the Coastal Regulation Zone clearance. Environmental safeguards for marine health: The disposal of sewage, effluents, and grey/black water from terminal facilities and berthed vessels must be managed through approved systems as per the EIA plan. No untreated discharge will be permitted into the sea. Preservation of Gateway of India: The court directed that the jetty project must not obstruct the visibility, physical access, or structural integrity of the Gateway of India. The heritage precinct must remain undisturbed in both construction and operational stages. Construction impact reporting: The project proponents must assess and report the ecological impact of piling and marine construction activities, especially during monsoon and marine breeding seasons. These reports must be submitted to the MCZMA for oversight. No precedent for other CRZ projects: The court clarified that its approval for this project is case-specific. It cannot be cited as a precedent or justification for similar developments in other ecologically sensitive CRZ-I or CRZ-IV areas without a full and independent regulatory assessment.
The Hindu
6 hours ago
- Science
- The Hindu
‘Confined field trials' on GM maize to begin soon at Punjab Agricultural University
The field trials of two kinds of genetically modified (GM) maize are expected to begin in the ongoing kharif (summer) season at the Punjab Agricultural University, days after the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee, the country's top regulator for the sector, gave the nod for the trials, after receiving consent from the Punjab government. In its meeting in June, the committee recommended a proposal by Bayer Crop Science Limited for the conduct of confined field trials on herbicide-tolerant transgenic maize, and insect-resistant transgenic maize at the Ludhiana-based university for this year's kharif season. Activists, however, have raised the alarm against the move. The trials will study weed-control efficacy in herbicide-tolerant maize hybrids with the application of Glyphosate-K salt, and the efficacy of insect-protected maize hybrids against targeted lepidopteran pests. 'The field trials will begin soon as this is the right time for sowing maize,' Punjab Agricultural University Vice-Chancellor Satbir Singh Gosal told The Hindu. The university had no involvement in decisions related to the commercialisation of the crop; its mandate was limited to conducting research, under which the field trials would be conducted on GM maize, Mr. Gosal said, dismissing concerns over genetic modification. 'At the Punjab Agricultural University, we have the necessary infrastructure, facilities and experts, so we are going ahead with the trials. We need to understand that, unless we study the matter, we will not know whether it's good or bad. The trials are for research purposes only, and we are not going to recommend that it (GM maize) should be grown commercially or not. It's for the Central government to take a call. We would be conducting the trials adhering to the guidelines of the Department of Biotechnology, Government of India, and established standards of procedures. It's a research institute, and it's our mandate to conduct research,' Mr. Gosal said. The Coalition for a GM-Free India, a platform advocating safe and sustainable agriculture, has urged the Punjab government to withdraw its No Objection Certificate (NOC) for the trials. In a letter to Punjab Agriculture Minister Gurmeet Singh Khudian, Kavitha Kuruganti, co-convenor of the coalition, said that the State government had an issued order prohibiting the usage of glyphosate, a deadly herbicide with a large body of scientific literature pointing to its negative impacts on human health and the environment. '...How can the university experiment with herbicide-tolerant maize that has been modified to withstand the application of glyphosate, which is in itself against the legally-approved label claim for glyphosate in India's pesticides regulatory regime?' Ms. Kuruganti said. In 2018, the Punjab government banned the sale of glyphosate, a herbicide used extensively in the State to control a wide variety of weeds in almost all crops. Pointing out that the State government's NOC would result in national repercussions, Ms. Kuruganti urged the State to prioritise an inquiry into the scientific basis on which such NOCs were being issued, and to immediately withdraw the NOC that has been issued for confined field trials on GM maize.
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Business Standard
9 hours ago
- Automotive
- Business Standard
Buying a second-hand car? Why insurance transfer is crucial for buyer
When you buy a second-hand car, transferring ownership isn't just about the Registration Certificate (RC). Equally critical is transferring the car's insurance policy to your name. Experts warn that failing to do so can lead to claim rejections, penalties, and even legal trouble. Here's a step-by-step explainer on what happens to car insurance when you buy a used car, and how to get it transferred smoothly. Why insurance transfer is crucial 'Transferring the existing insurance policy to the new owner's name is not just a formality, it is both legally mandatory and financially crucial,' says Saurabh Vijayvergia, founder & chief executive officer of CoverSure. The law allows a 14-day window for completing this process. Beyond that, any claim made under the old owner's name can be rejected outright. 'A car insurance policy has two parts, own-damage and third-party liability. While third-party cover automatically transfers, the own-damage section needs formal transfer. Without it, no own-damage claims will be honoured,' said Neel Chheda, chief underwriting and data science officer of TATA AIG Insurance. According to Paras Pasricha, business head, motor insurance at the process involves submitting necessary documents and paying a minimal transfer fee to the insurer. The required documents include the original RC, valid insurance certificate, PUC certificate, Form 29 and 30 (signed by buyer and seller), address and ID proofs, and, if applicable, a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the bank. What happens if you don't transfer insurance? If you drive without transferring the insurance, you could face serious issues. 'The new owner might face claim rejection and penalties for driving without a valid insurance policy, while the seller could face legal issues if the buyer meets with an accident,' Pasricha warns. While the third-party liability cover automatically continues under Section 157 of the Motor Vehicles Act, own-damage coverage does not, says Surender Tonk, vice-president, Insurance Brokers Association of India. 'If the insurance is not transferred, the own-damage section of the policy will not work, and any damage or loss to the insured vehicle will not be payable,' he says. 'If the policy isn't transferred, the new owner is essentially uninsured for own-damage claims. Any accident-related expenses will have to be borne out of pocket,' adds Chheda. Can you modify or switch insurance? Once the policy is in your name, you are free to upgrade or modify it. 'As a buyer, you do not have to stick with the previous owner's insurance terms. You can and should upgrade to a comprehensive cover or even switch insurers entirely,' says Vijayvergia. However, Tonk points out that while the base policy can be transferred, some add-on benefits like zero depreciation may not carry over to the new owner. What about the No Claim Bonus (NCB)? A common misconception among buyers is that the seller's NCB (discount for claim-free years) gets transferred with the car. That's not true. 'NCB is linked to the individual policyholder, not the vehicle,' says Arti Mulik, chief technical officer, Universal Sompo General Insurance. 'The seller can retain the NCB for their next vehicle, but the buyer starts fresh,' Mulik said. 'The entitlement of NCB follows the fortune of the original insured and not the vehicle or the policy. Buyers don't get any benefit from the seller's NCB,' adds Chheda.
The Hindu
2 days ago
- Business
- The Hindu
Data bank of unused land for LIFE Mission on the cards
A data bank of unused land available with various government departments will soon be ready in Kozhikode district to support the speedy implementation of housing projects under the State government's Livelihood Inclusion and Financial Empowerment (LIFE) Mission. Heads of various local self-government bodies have said that they will be able to identify at least one or two acres of unused land in their respective areas and exchange the details with the Revenue department within a few weeks to support the initiative. 'As per the instructions we received, the District Collector will be able to take over such properties directly without any technical hurdles and include them in the data bank for future use. The only requirement is to obtain a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the original landholders concerned,' said a senior officer with the LIFE Mission. He added that grama panchayats and municipalities have already been asked to locate two acres and one acre of unused land, respectively, within their limits for this purpose. According to Revenue department sources, the majority of government departments have already reviewed their land records and identified unused plots that can be allocated for the housing initiative. Some departments have also submitted preliminary data, along with supporting land documents, to the authorities concerned for initial verification. 'Private landowners and corporate entities can also contribute to the initiative by donating unused land to the Revenue department to help fulfill the dream of the homeless. 'Manassode Ithiri Mannu' is one such special campaign launched by the government to encourage participation,' said an assistant engineer associated with the LIFE Mission projects. He added that generous people from various parts of the Kozhikode district have already donated over 90 cents of land to the authorities. As per the government records, most of the private landowners who voluntarily participated in the scheme in Kozhikode district are from panchayats such as Thalakkulathur, Kottur, Kunnamangalam, Villiappally, Koodaranhi, Perumanna, Chakkittappara, and Omassery. Officials from the Local Self-Government department said they expect more voluntary donors from other panchayats once the data bank is completed. In Kozhikode district, the LIFE Mission has successfully addressed the housing needs of 33,477 homeless people across three phases so far. Support from various government departments, State-level schemes, and the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana was crucial to the timely completion of these projects. Officials said future projects will mainly focus on around 3,000 landless families identified as extremely poor across the State.
Indian Express
3 days ago
- Business
- Indian Express
No construction in 20-km radius of Noida airport without NOC
No constructions or tree planting is allowed within a 20-km radius of the Noida International Airport (NIA) without a Height Clearance No Objection Certificate (NOC) received from the Airport Authority of India (AAI), the NIA has informed builders and local authorities on Friday. In a statement, the Noida airport said that the directives have been issued based on rules laid down by the Ministry of Civil Aviation in 2015 and enforced under the Aircraft (Demolition of Obstructions caused by Buildings and Trees) Rules, 2023. 'It requires all stakeholders, including builders, landowners, and government bodies, to obtain a Height No Objection Certificate from the AAI before initiating any vertical development within the prescribed limit,' read the statement. 'No construction activity, erection of structures, or tree plantation is permitted without a valid Height Clearance NOC from AAI,' Noida airport's chief operating officer (COO) Kiran Jain said in the statement. 'This is not merely a procedural requirement but a critical safeguard for aircraft operations and navigation systems,' she added. She further said that any kind of unauthorised construction or vegetation growth within the restricted airspace could breach Obstacle Limitation Surfaces (OLS), posing threat to flight safety and air traffic control systems. 'The enforcement framework includes legal provisions for demolition and penalties.' Jain said that all concerned parties must approach local bodies before initiating any vertical development within the 20-km perimeter. These bodies will consult the Colour-Coded Zoning Map (CCZM) issued by AAI to assess permissible height limits. Based on the proposed construction height, the applicant may be directed to apply for a Height NOC via AAI's NOCAS portal. Officials said the safety and efficiency of aircraft operations take precedence as NIA prepares to become a major aviation hub for the National Capital Region. 'Stakeholders are strongly advised to halt any unapproved development activities in the safeguarded zone immediately… Timely compliance is essential to avoid legal consequences and ensure smooth commissioning of the airport,' Jain said. Earlier this week, The Indian Express had reported that over 90% of the work at the airport has been completed, and the remaining tasks will likely be completed by September 30.
