Environmental clearance now required for large township and construction projects in Chandigarh

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Chandigarh: All townships and area development projects covering an area of more than 50 hectares or a built-up area of more than 1,50,000 square metres will now require environmental clearance.
Similarly, building and construction projects with more than 20,000 square metres and more than 1,50,000 square metres of built-up area will also need clearance. This is as per the latest notification issued by the UT department of environment.
The notification is in pursuance of the directions of the
National Green Tribunal
(NGT). The NGT, in its orders dated Aug 5, 2024, directed the MoEFCC to strictly enforce the notification dated September 14, 2006, attached to Category 8 in the note on general conditions.
The NGT directed the MoEFCC to appraise all those building and construction projects that are located in whole or in part within 5 km of the protected area notified under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, critically polluted areas and severely polluted areas as identified by the CPCB, eco-sensitive areas notified under Section 3(2) of the Environment (Protection) Act, and the projects located at inter-state boundaries as Category A projects to be appraised at the central level by the Sectoral Expert Appraisal Committee.
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The MoEFCC was also directed to strictly comply with the notification or to provide clarity by issuing a notification. A copy of the order was communicated to the MoEFCC for clarification and the issuance of the necessary notification or to comply with the EIA Notification, 2006, in letter and spirit.
The UT notification states, "In compliance with the court orders, the General Condition shall be applicable to all the building and construction projects falling in category 8(a) & 8(b) of the schedule to the EIA notification, 2006.
All such projects located in whole or in part within 5 km of the protected area notified under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, critically polluted areas and severely polluted areas as identified by the CPCB, eco-sensitive areas notified under Section 3(2) of the Environment (Protection) Act, and the projects located at inter-state boundaries are to be appraised at the central level by the Sectoral Expert Appraisal Committee as Category A projects until any clarification by way of a notification is issued by the Ministry.
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All the project proponents requiring Environmental Clearance for their proposed projects have been asked to approach or apply through the appropriate authority in compliance with the recent directions of the Supreme Court of India. MSID:: 121889588 413 |

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