NGT gives a nod for Pragati Maidan redevelopment project

NEW DELHI: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) approved the re-development of the Integrated Exhibition-cum-Convention Centre at Pragati Maidan on October 24, 2018.It dismissed the plea that challenged the decision to proceed with the project and sought quashing of environmental clearances granted to the developer.

A bench headed by Justice AK Goel, NGT Chairperson, dismissed the plea and said that even though doubts had been expressed on the credibility of the Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) report, they are not supported by better materials.

The bench said, “the tribunal, as the appellate authority against the grant of Environmental Clearance (EC), has examined not only the EIA report but also the entire stages in the EIA process. The examination and scrutiny of the process does not reveal any substantial deficiency so as to vitiate the Environmental Clearance.”

The bench further said, “the object of undertaking an EIA is founded on the principle of Sustainable Development and the Precautionary Principle. As already discussed, the principle concerns raised by the appellant (with) respect to environmental clearance do not appear to be justified.”

The bench further directed the Union Environment Ministry and other regulatory authorities to ensure that each of the conditions of the environment clearances are meticulously complied with through close monitoring of the project.

The bench directed that physical inspections of the project site to be held periodically to ensure that the conditions of the environmental clearance are complied with during the construction and operational phases.