Latest news with #StateEnvironmentImpactAssessmentAuthority
Economic Times
3 days ago
- Business
- Economic Times
SC clears regulatory logjam, paving way for revival of 493 stalled housing projects in Mumbai, Pune
Thousands of homebuyers across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) and Pune can finally expect delivery of long-delayed homes, as the Supreme Court has cleared a key regulatory roadblock that had stalled approvals for hundreds of residential projects. ADVERTISEMENT The ruling paves the way for construction to resume on 493 stalled developments largely in the affordable and mid-income categories, helping momentum in two of the country's most active housing markets. The apex court, in its judgment on Vanashakti vs Union of India, reaffirmed that the State Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA) and State Expert Appraisal Committee (SEAC) are the appropriate authorities for granting project-level environmental approvals in Maharashtra. The decision settles a jurisdictional conflict triggered by certain central government notifications issued in 2014 and 2016. 'This is a monumental relief for Maharashtra's real estate sector,' said Domnic Romell, president, CREDAI-MCHI, which had approached the court on the matter. 'We initiated this petition to bring clarity to an increasingly ambiguous clearance process, and the Supreme Court has now provided much-needed certainty.'The verdict addresses long-standing uncertainty around environmental clearances that had delayed project approvals and disrupted construction timelines. With clarity now restored, developers are expected to resume work on these projects, unlocking over 70,000 housing units and offering long-awaited relief to affected homebuyers. 'The judgment will not only revive the 493 stalled projects and fasten the delayed supply but also restores homebuyer confidence, introduces liquidity into the market, and restores economic activity across allied industries. Above all, it also underlines a progressive vision where environmental compliance is not diluted but seamlessly combined with development goals,' said Chintan Sheth, CMD, Sheth Realty. ADVERTISEMENT According to him, the balanced approach between sustainability and speed will set an example for future urban growth, allowing on-time deliveries while upholding responsibility towards the Supreme Court struck down Clause 14(a) and Appendix 16 of these notifications, which had proposed the creation of Environmental Cells under local planning authorities to issue clearances. Developers had flagged this framework as inconsistent with the existing SEIAA-SEAC process, raising concerns about delays, overlaps, and confusion. ADVERTISEMENT The court also dismissed the notion of differential treatment for industrial sheds and educational buildings under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, reinforcing the need for uniformity in environmental regulation across all project the regulatory framework now clarified, developers are expected to move quickly to secure approvals and resume stalled work, particularly in high-demand locations across MMR and Pune. The ruling is seen as a timely intervention that will ease supply-side pressures and restore confidence among homebuyers and stakeholders in the state's key urban centres. ADVERTISEMENT (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel)
Time of India
3 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
SC's environmental nod clarity to revive 493 stalled projects, bring relief to homebuyers
Thousands of homebuyers across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) and Pune can finally expect delivery of long-delayed homes, as the Supreme Court has cleared a key regulatory roadblock that had stalled approvals for hundreds of residential projects. The ruling paves the way for construction to resume on 493 stalled developments largely in the affordable and mid-income categories, helping momentum in two of the country's most active housing markets. The apex court, in its judgment on Vanashakti vs Union of India, reaffirmed that the State Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA) and State Expert Appraisal Committee (SEAC) are the appropriate authorities for granting project-level environmental approvals in Maharashtra. The decision settles a jurisdictional conflict triggered by certain central government notifications issued in 2014 and 2016. 'This is a monumental relief for Maharashtra's real estate sector,' said Domnic Romell, president, CREDAI-MCHI, which had approached the court on the matter. 'We initiated this petition to bring clarity to an increasingly ambiguous clearance process, and the Supreme Court has now provided much-needed certainty.' The verdict addresses long-standing uncertainty around environmental clearances that had delayed project approvals and disrupted construction timelines. With clarity now restored, developers are expected to resume work on these projects, unlocking over 70,000 housing units and offering long-awaited relief to affected homebuyers. 'The judgment will not only revive the 493 stalled projects and fasten the delayed supply but also restores homebuyer confidence, introduces liquidity into the market, and restores economic activity across allied industries. Above all, it also underlines a progressive vision where environmental compliance is not diluted but seamlessly combined with development goals,' said Chintan Sheth, CMD, Sheth Realty. According to him, the balanced approach between sustainability and speed will set an example for future urban growth, allowing on-time deliveries while upholding responsibility towards the environment. The Supreme Court struck down Clause 14(a) and Appendix 16 of these notifications, which had proposed the creation of Environmental Cells under local planning authorities to issue clearances. Developers had flagged this framework as inconsistent with the existing SEIAA-SEAC process, raising concerns about delays, overlaps, and confusion. The court also dismissed the notion of differential treatment for industrial sheds and educational buildings under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, reinforcing the need for uniformity in environmental regulation across all project types. With the regulatory framework now clarified, developers are expected to move quickly to secure approvals and resume stalled work, particularly in high-demand locations across MMR and Pune. The ruling is seen as a timely intervention that will ease supply-side pressures and restore confidence among homebuyers and stakeholders in the state's key urban centres.
Time of India
31-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Kerala HC seeks state govt's reply in PIL against Wayanad tunnel project
Kochi: High court on Thursday directed the state govt to file a counter affidavit in a public interest litigation (PIL) challenging the Stage I forest clearance and the environmental clearance granted for the Anakkampoyil-Kalladi-Meppadi twin tunnel road project between Kozhikode and Wayanad. A bench of Chief Justice Nitin Jamdar and Justice Basant Balaji issued the directive on the PIL filed by Wayanad Prakrithi Samrakshana Samithi and adjourned the matter to Sept 9. HC also clarified that any step taken by the state govt or other stakeholders towards commencement of the project would be subject to the PIL's outcome. The petitioners contended that Wayanad district is highly prone to landslides and that the proposed project passes through ecologically sensitive areas (ESAs). The tunnel alignment cuts through the ESA villages of Thiruvambady in Kozhikode and Vellarimala in Wayanad, and hence, the environmental appraisal conducted by the State Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA) was inadequate. They argued that the project required appraisal at the central level, and pointed out that neither the Union ministry of environment, forest and climate change (MoEFCC) nor the central govt had conducted any independent environmental assessment. The petitioners also questioned the competence of the environmental impact assessment (EIA) report prepared by the Konkan Railway Corporation, arguing that it is not an accredited agency authorised to prepare such reports. Additionally, the Samithi referred to an office memorandum issued by the central govt, which mandates that work can begin only after obtaining Stage II forest clearance from the Govt of India. Since such clearance has not yet been granted, the petitioners argued that the state govt should not proceed with any construction activities. Opposing the PIL, the govt pleader submitted that another set of litigations involving the same project is already pending before a different division bench. It was further argued that under Section 16(h) of the National Green Tribunal Act, any person aggrieved by the grant of environmental clearance may file an appeal before the National Green Tribunal within 30 days, and therefore, the petitioners should seek remedy through that forum. HC, however, directed the govt pleader to file a detailed reply affidavit and orally observed that it would consider the issues raised by the state once the pleadings are complete.
Time of India
12-07-2025
- Time of India
Illegal sand mining rampant in Raj amid lack of legal mines
1 2 Jaipur: Illegal sand mining continues unabated across Rajasthan, largely due to the acute shortage of legally operational sand mines. The sand mafia has entrenched itself in several districts, with Bhilwara, Tonk, Dholpur, Sawai Madhopur, Karauli, Jalore, Balotra, and Beawar among the worst affected. The issue was prominently raised during a recent review meeting chaired by the chief minister, where the growing threat of unchecked illegal mining was discussed. A mining official said, "Continuous action is being taken from time to time to discourage the practice. While the police are conducting raids and seizing vehicles involved in these operations, the mining department is also actively inspecting sites and imposing penalties. Efforts are ongoing to allot mining blocks." The mines department initiates action across all categories of mineral violations, while the police largely focus on illegal sand extraction. According to official records, Bhilwara reported 325 cases with 412 vehicles seized, followed by Tonk with 312 cases and 314 vehicles. Dholpur registered 169 cases with 223 vehicle seizures, Sawai Madhopur 122 cases and 164 vehicles, Karauli 68 cases and 119 vehicles, Jalore 108 cases and 132 vehicles, Balotra 60 cases and 115 vehicles, and Beawar 47 cases with 112 vehicles seized in connection with illegal sand mining. In a parallel crackdown, the mines department registered 677 cases of illegal sand mining across the state this year. Of these, 129 resulted in FIRs. The department seized 626 vehicles, arrested 65 individuals, and recovered penalties totalling Rs 5 police registered 1,953 cases so far this year, but investigations in nearly 1,002 of them remain incomplete. According to official data, final reports (FR) were submitted in 25 cases, effectively closing them, while charge sheets were filed in 926 cases. A total of 2,749 vehicles were seized during enforcement actions. Sources said the absence of environmental clearance (EC) stalled operations in many auctioned mines, severely disrupting sand supply. Currently, only eight mining leases are operational. A senior official added, "At present, sand mining is completely banned due to the monsoon season. However, directions have been issued to the State Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA) to expedite the clearance process during this time, as further delays could fuel illegal mining once operations resume."
India.com
13-06-2025
- Business
- India.com
THIS company's shares gain amdi rising tensions in the Middle East
सेफ इंवेस्टमेंट का भी करें इंतजाम Sigachi Industries shares traded in the green on Friday, June 13, 2025, despite equity benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty falling in early trade amdi rising tensions in the Middle East. The stock opened at Rs 56.50 against the previous close of Rs 57.44 on the BSE. It dipped further to touch the low of Rs 56.01. However, the counter rebounded to hit an intraday high of Rs 58.44 – a gain of 1.74 per cent. Last seen, the counter was trading at Rs 57.59 on the BSE, with a gain of 0.26 per cent from the previous close. On the NSE, the counter started the session flat and opened at Rs 57.45. The counter hit an intraday high of Rs 58.45. At the time of writing the story, around 1.51 lakh shares had changed hands. This is lower than the two-week average volume of 4.54 lakh. Company Shares Update On Its Facility In Kurnool District Meanwhile, the company has informed exchanges that it has received a Terms of Reference (ToR) approval from the State Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA), Andhra Pradesh, for its upcoming bulk drugs,drug intermediates, and specialty chemicals facility at Orvakal, Kurnool District. According to the company, the project will be instrumental in: – Enhancing the company's API manufacturing capacity and global reach. – Supporting pipeline expansion for regulated and semi-regulated markets. – Establishing a strategically located facility with export potential. – Contributing to 'Make in India' through world-class infrastructure and sustainable practices. Share Price History According to BSE Analytics, the stock has given a multibagger return of 139 per cent over five years, providing a clear picture of the company's financial standing. However, the return given by it in one year is just 5.47 per cent, and it has corrected 1.36 per cent in six months.
