Delhi govt writes to Centre, seeks papers on green nod
NEW DELHI: Delhi environment minister Imran Hussain on Tuesday sent letters to Union environment minister Harsh Vardhan and Union housing and urban affairs minister Hardeep Singh Puri seeking documents related to the environment clearance and any change in land use for Central government’s redevelopment project in south Delhi.
In separate letters written to Harsh Vardhan and Puri — the text of which was the same — Hussain alleged that “initial probe” has revealed the project proponent (the contractor concerned) has apparently “committed serious violations”.
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government and the Centre had been engaged in a blame-game over felling of at least 14,000 trees in south Delhi for to give way to redevelopment of Central government quarters. While AAP leaders claim the approval to cut these trees was given by the Centre, Harsh Vardhan had alleged that the city government was responsible for granting the permission to fell trees.
Hussain’s letter stated it was “inter-alia” directed by National Green Tribunal (NGT) that the “plants shall be planted as a condition precedent to the cutting of trees”.
“The project proponent apparently started the process of felling of trees without complying with the directions regarding condition precedent of planting trees before undertaking cutting of trees. It was also found that the user agency have committed violations of conditions prescribed in the clearance given by forest department of the Delhi government for tree cutting and translocation,” the letter said.
The document said it appeared that the ‘ project proponent’ might have also violated conditions of environment clearance given by the Union environment ministry and State-level Environmental Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA).
Hussain also sought to know the status of the project whether it was meant only for residential needs or there was any proposal for properties to be used for commercial purposes.
Meanwhile, leader of Opposition in Delhi Assembly Vijender Gupta said that Centre had no role for providing consent for felling of trees but NBCC’S request for approval was recommended and approved by Hussain which was given assent by lieutenantgovernor Anil Baijal.
“NBCC had made an advance payment of ₹22.54 crore to the (Delhi) government towards security deposit for creation and maintenance of compensatory plantation for Netaji Nagar and Nauroji Nagar projects,” Gupta said.