Lakes and storm water drains in the city will receive a breather as the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed civic authorities to demolish or disallow any further construction at least 75 metres from a lake and 50 metres around any primary storm water drain.
The Tribunal directed that measurement of the resultant buffer zone would be carried out from the edge of the storm water drain and not the centre.
The directives were issued on a petition filed by the Namma Bengaluru Foundation. The tribunal quashed the environmental clearances and sanctions issued to Mantri Techzone and Coremind for construction around Bellandur-Agara lakes and further construction has been stayed till fresh clearances are obtained by the builders.
The State Environmental Impact Assessment Agency (SEIAA) has been directed to monitor the construction of these two projects. Compensation penalty of Rs. 117 crore has been imposed on Mantri and Coremind is to pay Rs. 13.5 crore as compensation.
A representative of Mantri Developers said, “We are yet to receive a copy of the order and can comment only after we get the same.”
A spokesperson for Salarpuria, which is developing Coremind, said that the company had no statement to make on the issue.
Timeline
April 16, 2014: NGT orders interim stay on mega-project
May 7, 2015: NGT directs Mantri Techzone and Coremind to pay a fine of Rs 117.35 crore ad Rs 22.5 crore for violations
May 20, 2015: SC stays NGT order; asks companies to file review application before NGT within a week
May 2015: NGT establishes committee to look into extent of ecological impact and damage at Agara and Bellandur lakes
June 2015: Two separate groups stage protests for and against the project
September 2015: NGT flays expert committee over inspection report; directs members to visit the site afresh
September 2015: During second visit, security personnel at project site allegedly stop committee member and snatch GPS device
SEIAA directed to amend environmental clearance of both project proponents. All further constructions shall be monitored by SEIAA
Environment Clearances for any project must include a condition that water for construction must be utilised from STPs
State government to submit a proposal demarcating wetlands within 4 weeks to MoEF; the same shall be notified
There is a combined direction to remove the muck/debris deposited in the rajakaluve within 4 weeks failing which LDA shall undertake the same and charges shall have to be paid by the two builders
SEIAA has been directed to prepare a muck-disposal plan within 3 months
