NGT orders probe into Gurugram real estate firm’s alleged illegal construction
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has formed a joint committee to investigate allegations against MVN Infrastructure Projects LLP, a real estate firm in Gurugram, for commencing construction without obtaining an environmental clearance certificate. The committee, which includes members from the Haryana State Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA) and the District Magistrate of Gurugram, has been tasked with submitting a factual report within two months.
The petition was filed by local resident Chander Parkash Gambhir, who claims that MVN Infrastructure Projects initiated construction on a site at village Harsaru, Sector 37D, Gurugram, without securing the mandatory environmental clearance (EC) from SEIAA. The project covers 27,417.41 square meters (6.775 acres) and proposes a built-up area of 1,43,350.71 square meters.
Gambhir said while the firm applied for the EC online (No. SIA/HR/INFRA2/468335/2024), it has yet to receive approval. He argues the firm’s actions violate the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 and the Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) Notification of 2006, as amended. Gambhir also claims that, despite raising concerns with various authorities, no effective action was taken, forcing him to seek NGT’s intervention.
During the hearing, the NGT’s judicial member, Justice Sudhir Agarwal and expert member, Dr A Senthil Vel, directed SEIAA, Haryana, serve as the nodal authority for coordinating the joint committee’s efforts. The committee is expected to visit the site, gather relevant information, engage with stakeholders and report its findings within two months. The next hearing is scheduled for February 21, and the NGT has sought responses from the state government, the Haryana State Pollution Control Board and the District Magistrate of Gurugram before that date.
