Environment clearance must for 20K sqm projects.

TNN | Dec 7, 2011, 03.44AM IST
AHMEDABAD: Gujarat Pollution Control Board (GPCB) on Monday made it mandatory for all realtors to get an environment clearance certificate before launching building projects spread over 20,000 sq-metre plus.
According to the GPCB, any building project over 20,000 sq-metre has to get a clearance. But there are several projects in the city which have begun construction without the clearance. These projects have to be immediately stopped and an application for environment clearance has to be filed.
The central government had in 2009 made it mandatory to get environment clearance from the Union Ministry of Environment and Forest (MOEF) or its state-level body. As per the directive, all constructions spread over 20,000 sq-metre built-up area had to go through mandatory environmental clearance from the state-level Environment Impact Assessment Authority. Projects larger than that had to be cleared by the MOEF. As per the directive, the developers, after acquiring the environment clearance, had to move their files to urban department of the state for building plan approval.
If any project which is constructed in the area of over 20,000 sq-metre, the GPCB will not give the clearance once the project is completed, stated the GPCB in a release issued on Monday. The GPCB said that such builders who complete the project without the environment clearance will be liable for the action and heavy penalty.
"The question of affluent water is tackled by civic bodies when town planning is announced in a particular area. Thus, construction business is not a polluting industry. However, extra care should be taken in the case of eco sensitive area," said Jaxay Shah, president of Confederation of Real Estate Developers Association of India (Gujarat Chapter).
Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ahmedabad/Environment-clearance-must-for-20K-sqm-projects/articleshow/11013830.cms