NGT seeks report on redevelopment project of Pragati Maidan

NEW DELHI: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) on May 27, 2019 demanded a status report from a committee on the redevelopment of Pragati Maidan exhibition complex.

A bench headed by Justice Adarsh ​​Kumar Goel, NGT Chairperson asked the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF), Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) officials, to file a report on the same within a month. The directions came post a plea filed for stopping the construction work.

“In view of the above case, before we consider the matter, we need factual action from a joint committee of MoEF, CPCB and DPCC,” the bench said.

The Tribunal had earlier passed an order stating that the CPCB had written a letter to the DPCC on November 12, 2018, which indicates deficiencies in the project and demands remedial action, although no such action was taken.

The NGT had approved this project last year and had rejected a petition for cancelling the environmental clearance granted to the India Trade Promotion Organisation, which manages the exhibition complex.

The redevelopment project at Pragati Maidan entails the development of a total of 3,26,065 sqm of built-up area, including 1,19,445 sqm of exhibition space, a convention centre with seating capacity of 7,000 and a number of different-sized meeting rooms and space for public circulation in phase-1, among others.