The Delhi Development Authority (DDA) would not implement the environment clearance clauses in the latest Unified Building By-laws for Delhi till the Union Environment Ministry approves them, the housing body has told the National Green Tribunal (NGT).
The DDA informed a Bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar that though it has already notified the Unified Building By-laws, the conditions relating to environmental issues would not be implemented as of now.
“Counsel appearing for the DDA on instruction from Director of Planning submits that the DDA has already notified the Unified Building By-laws. However, the chapter on environment conditions for sanctioning building plans would not be implemented till Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change gives its approval,” the Bench comprising RS Rathore said. This came in response to a plea challenging the Government's decision, alleging that the latest building by-laws would “dilute and exempt” prior environment clearance for buildings and construction projects.
The green panel also directed MoEF to consider the objections of the applicant before issuing final notification so that the “Unified Building By-laws are not in conflict with EIA Notification, 2006”.
The plea, filed by NGO 'Society for Protection of Environment and Biodiversity', has claimed that these by-laws “seek to defeat and do away with the provisions of EIA notification 2006 relating to equirement of an environmental clearance by buildings and construction projects.”
The NGO had claimed that Unified Building By-laws for Delhi, as notified by DDA, were “illegal and liable to be set aside to the extent that the same provide for the exemption of environment clearance for building and construction of areas which are more than 20,000 sq mtrs and less than 150,000 sq mtrs in the area of Delhi” under the authority's jurisdiction.