Metro rail projects need environmental clearance: NGT

NEW DELHI: The National Green Tribunal today held that all metro rail projects need environmental clearance after conducting proper Environment Impact Assessment.

A bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar said Noida Metro Rail, whose construction was challenged in the plea before it, fell under Schedule 8(b) of Environment Impact Assessment Notification, 2006, relating to buildings, construction and development projects which are mandated to get prior environmental clearance.

The green panel also directed upcoming Noida-Greater Noida metro project to obtain environmental clearance from State Level Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA).

The order was passed on the plea filed by environmentalist Vikrant Tongad seeking directions to Noida Metro Rail Corporation (NMRC) to obtain environmental clearance for its project from Noida to Greater Noida after conducting proper Environment Impact Assessment of the project.

"From the detailed project report (DPR), it is clear that the total land requirement for the project of metro rail from Noida to Greater Noida is around 2,84,762.01 sq m. However, no Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) report was prepared. This fact was verified by the applicant by inspecting the records of the project under Right to Information Act, 2005.

"It is submitted that as per 8(b) of the Schedule of EIA Notification, 2006 project having covering area more than 50 ha or built up area more than 150,000 sq m requires environmental clearance and is to be appraised as category 'B1' project," the plea, filed through advocate Rahul Choudhary, had said.

Tongad had stated that the metro from Noida to Greater Noida will pass through Hindon and piers would be constructed on the river bed which can significantly harm aquatic habitat of the river.