NGT petitioned against new Assembly building in Gairsain

New Delhi, September 29

An environment activist has moved the National Green Tribunal seeking a stay on the construction of a new legislative Assembly building of Uttarakhand on the ground that the project lacks mandatory clearances.

The plea contends that the project in the Gairsain area of Chamoli district has been started without obtaining environmental clearance and consent as required under the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 and the Water (Prevention and Control) Act, 1974 in an eco-fragile area of the Himalayas.

The plea moved by environment activist Vikrant Tongad has made the Ministry of Environment and Forests, Uttarakhand government, State Environment Impact Assessment Authority, State Pollution Control Board, National Buildings Construction Corporation Ltd and the Central Ground Water Authority parties in the case.

Tongad states the project, which will come up on 100 acres, will have the Assembly building, offices catering to the Assembly, MLA hostels for 60 residents, officers’ hostel for 60 residents, VIP residences for 16 ministers, residence for Chief Minister, Speaker and Deputy Speaker, besides a helipad.

“The construction of the Legislative Assembly building is being done in 100 acres and the total built-up area is 20,812 sq m without obtaining environmental clearance under the Environment Impact Assessment notification, 2006,” it said.

The plea, filed through advocate Rahul Choudhary, claims that around 65 kilo litre per day of sewage will be generated during the operation but no provision for the installation of a sewage treatment plant has been made to treat it.

“Pass an order staying the ongoing construction of the new legislative Assembly of Uttarakhand at Bharisain at Gairsain in Chamoli district till the disposal of the plea,” the petition stated. — PTI