Government Skirts Around Questions on Environment Clearance for Central Vista Project in the National Capital

Rajya Sabha member Jawahar Sircar questioned the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEF&CC). He asked if the Government was aware of the extent of environmental change in the permeable surface due to a radical increase in the area devoted to parking and a U-shaped connecting underground rail with the adjacent metro station, which necessitates environmental clearance (for the Central Vista project).

Minister of State in the MoEF&CC Ashwini Kumar Choubey answered: "Environmental sustainability is at the core of the development/redevelopment of Central Vista, and the overall green cover within the Central Vista area will increase. Parking area is also provided with grass pavers, and there will not be any major reduction of permeable surface. Plan for underground metro connectivity is currently at planning stage."

The Minister did address Sircar's query on whether specific environmental clearance could be obtained from the Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) for the major changes envisaged by the avenue development along Rajpath lawns, road, and entire public landscape as part of the Central Vista project. "As per the information provided by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) & Central Public Works Department (CPWD), no specific Environmental Clearance is required for redevelopment of Central Vista Avenue as total built-up area proposed is less than 20,000 sq mt," the Minister said.

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The above article has been published from a wire agency with minimal modifications to the headline and text.