Environment Ministry to restart redevelopment projects at Sarojini Nagar and Netaji Nagar

NEW DELHI: To restart the stalled redevelopment projects at Sarojini Nagar and Netaji Nagar, the Union Environment Ministry has accorded fresh approval and permitted NBCC —a public sector construction company— for the ‘transplantation’ of about 5,000 trees as opposed to the felling of 11,000 trees. However, the clearance is subject to the Delhi High Court’s decision on the petition demanding that the project be scrapped.

The project had sparked protests in Delhi last year due to felling of trees involved in the plan. This led to the petition filed in the High Court and the National Green Tribunal (NGT), demanding that the project be scrapped. The High Court then ordered a ‘stay’ on the project.

The complete project includes six redevelopment projects in Sarojini Nagar, Netaji Nagar, Nauroji Nagar, Thyagaraj Nagar, Mohammedpur, and Kasturba Nagar. The cost of the project is  ₹ 32,835-crore which covers 6,62,000 sqm and involves development of government accommodation as well as commercial properties.

The project required clearance by the Union Environment Ministry’s Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) to proceed. As per the documents, the EAC gave clearance to the projects to be carried out at Netaji Nagar, Nauroji Nagar, Thyagaraj Nagar and Sarojini Nagar — the last of which involves felling 11,000 trees.

Regarding the project in Nauroji Nagar, the EAC had been told that of the 3,906 existing trees of different species, 1,600 trees would be transplanted and 2,306 trees would be retained at the project site.