NGT Issues Order to Stop Construction of Residential Towers in Bhubaneswar Over Green Norms Violation
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has ordered the suspension of a significant real estate project in Ghatikia, Bhubaneswar, after the project promoter failed to meet the conditions specified by the authorities for environmental clearance. The project involved the construction of 12 residential towers, with eight already completed. The Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA) had granted approval for the building plan, but environmental clearance from the State Level Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA) was still pending for the remaining towers.
SEIAA had issued clear instructions to the builder to construct a stormwater drain before proceeding with the construction of the remaining towers. Despite these directives, the builder continued construction without fulfilling the condition. This non-compliance led SEIAA to issue a show-cause notice on January 27, questioning why the environmental clearance for the entire project should not be revoked. When the builder ignored the notice, a complaint was filed with the NGT, which reviewed the matter.
A resident of one of the completed towers, Sanu Das, expressed concerns over the project’s environmental impact and the builder's disregard for regulations. He brought the issue to the NGT, emphasizing the potential negative consequences of the builder’s actions on the surrounding areas. In its hearing, the NGT confirmed that the builder had failed to adhere to the conditions laid out by SEIAA, including completing the stormwater drain and securing an occupancy certificate and consent to operate before continuing with the remaining towers.
The NGT pointed out that the builder had been non-compliant for over a year and had disregarded the SEIAA’s warning. The tribunal ruled that the project could not proceed with construction until the required environmental clearance conditions were met. The NGT granted the builder a 15-day window to comply with SEIAA's directives. If the builder fails to meet these conditions within the given time frame, the tribunal may take further action.
The project promoter, however, argued that halting construction would have a detrimental impact on the workers employed at the site. Despite this, the NGT dismissed the argument, reinforcing the importance of complying with environmental regulations before any further construction could take place.
The NGT's ruling underscores the increasing importance of adhering to environmental standards in construction projects. With the growing focus on sustainability and environmental protection, builders are now under greater scrutiny to ensure that their projects comply with environmental clearance conditions. This ruling could serve as a precedent for similar projects in the future, encouraging developers to take environmental considerations seriously and prioritize sustainable construction practices.
Image source- telegraphindia.com
