CHANDIGARH: The Chandigarh administration’s environment department has informed the municipal corporation that the “user agency” must secure environmental clearances for the MC’s Rs 700 crore housing project in Manimajra.
The department has emphasized that this project qualifies under category 8(a) of the Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) notification, 2006, necessitating prior environmental clearance.
In its letter to the MC, the environment department states, “Township and area development projects covering less than 50 hectares or with built-up areas exceeding 1,50,000 sqm fall under category 8(b) of the EIA notification, dated Sept 14, 2006, hence requiring prior environmental clearance. All projects in categories 8(a) and 8(b) must obtain environmental clearance from the relevant authority.”
It further clarifies, “Building and construction projects with built-up areas less than 20,000 square meters or over 1,50,000 square meters fall under category 8(a) of the EIA notification, 2006, and require prior environmental clearance.”
Additionally, the term ‘built-up area’ for this notification refers to the total built or covered area across all floors, including basements and service areas proposed in the building or construction projects.
This announcement comes at a critical time as the financially constrained MC aims to sell the land quickly for funds. However, the UT administration’s requirement for the “user agency” to obtain environmental clearance is delaying the process.
