NEW DELHI: A builder informed the National Green Tribunal (NGT) on July 31 that the dissolution of the State Level Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA) and the State Level Expert Appraisal Committee (SEAC) has resulted in delays in obtaining environmental clearances.
In an affidavit to the NGT, the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) mentioned that environmental clearances cannot be issued at this time due to the defunct status of these two authorities. Currently, these clearances are being issued by the Union environment ministry.
The NGT is reviewing a plea from a builder who applied for environmental clearance (EC) in February of the previous year. The builder’s request pointed out that the terms of SEIAA and SEAC expired in September 2024 before the EC process could be finalized. The builder is seeking approval for a group housing project in Kirti Nagar.
In its response on July 31, the DPCC stated, “The terms of the two bodies concluded on September 5, 2024. The Union government has yet to issue further notifications. After September 5, matters related to EC applications, typically handled by these authorities in Delhi, are now under the purview of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC).”
Prior to their terms ending, the DPCC provided both financial and logistical backing to SEIAA and SEAC. Established in 2021 via a notification from the Union environment ministry, these bodies were tasked with evaluating all construction proposals requiring an EC under the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) notification of 2006, covering significant projects such as large apartment complexes, hotels, commercial developments, and infrastructure projects.
Former members of these dissolved bodies noted that although the MoEFCC or the Delhi government can initiate the reconstitution process, no action has been taken since their terms ended. “The EC process often involves considerable back and forth. With the Centre now overseeing it, delays are likely,” commented a former member who preferred to remain anonymous.
The State Level Expert Appraisal Committee, consisting of three members, was led by a former Public Works Department chief, Delhi’s former environment special secretary, and an appointee from the previous Aam Aadmi Party government. The SEIAA included 11 members and was chaired by a former Delhi Development Authority commissioner.
