Lavasa plan stuck as Maharashtra yet to meet MoEF rider

NEW DELHI: The Lavasa Hill City project is stuck in a cleft stick. The only way it can move forward and get clearance from the environment ministry is if the Maharashtra government files a legal case against it for green violations. The environment ministry has decided to wait and watch whether the state government meets its condition and files an affidavit before the Bombay High Court.

For Lavasa's promoters, who have been lobbying in Delhi, this places them in a piquant position. It would require an admission of guilt – violation of environmental regulations – from its board of directors besides getting rapped on its knuckles by a state government that has traditionally favoured developers. While the penalty itself is not high for violations under green laws, it will taint the project.

The environment ministry in its January 2011 order had asked the project developers to agree to stringent conditions and also share all its records – financial and others – before it gave the nod. The order had come with Lavasa going to the Bombay HC against the showcause and stop work notice given by the environment ministry.

The ministry later passed the final order, saying the project had come up in violation of green norms and while it was willing to consider the case for clearance, it would insist upon penalties under the Environment Protection Act, 1986.

Sources in the government said while Lavasa has agreed to other conditions, a response from the Maharashtra government is awaited. The state government is empowered under green laws to take action against erring projects in its domain. But the state government has been running shy of doing so.