The Environment Ministry has relaxed green norms for the construction sector. Projects covering a built up area ranging between 20,000 sq metres and 1.5 lakh sq metres, irrespective of any location can now directly approach the State for approval.
According to sources, this relaxation is aimed at development of township and facilitation in the upcoming projects related to smart cities in the near future. The project proponents have been relieved of approaching the Union Environment Ministry which is not only cumbersome but also time-taking.
The new process will spare the project proponent of a full environment impact assessment and public hearing, which would not henceforth be mandatory for the clearance process. Built-up area of a project has been mentioned as covered area on all floors put together, including basement and other service areas, which are proposed in the building or construction projects.
Earlier, construction projects that were located within the 10-km boundary of protected areas, or in notified eco-sensitive zones, in critically polluted areas or in the prescribed radius of inter-State/ international boundary were required to apply for green approvals through the Environment Ministry.
The Ministry has, however, included an exempt list to obliterate the impression that all such building projects can get away easily in the present situation. The list exempts construction of industrial sheds, schools, colleges, hostels for educational institutions from seeking clearances.
The activities covered under the projects further include residential buildings, commercial buildings, hotels, hospitals, hostels, office blocks and information technology or software development units or parks.
The sources informed that even though acquiring green clearances may appear simpler now, the project proponents will be required to ensure sustainable environment management strategies. For instance, it should have specific plans in place for solid and liquid waste management, rain water harvesting, and practice best environmental practices as use of recycled materials including fly ash, which is emerging as a good constituent of construction bricks. .
However, as per the new rules, constructions in the future can be made possible in ecologically fragile areas as Uttarakhand, or in the vicinity of eco-sensitive zones or even flood plains of rivers. This has, however, alarmed the environmentalists.