Question : ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT OF RAIL PROJECTS

(a) whether projects for new railway lines are subjected to environmental clearance;

(b) if so, whether the Government has conducted or proposes to conduct Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) or any other ecological/ environmental study on the proposed Thalassery-Mysore Rail Project;

(c) if so, the details thereof and the responses received from various stakeholders including the States of Karnataka and Kerala in this regard;

(d) whether the project is likely to adversely affect the ecological balance of Western Ghats of the country; and

(e) if so, the details thereof and the corrective steps taken by the Government in this regard?

MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR ENVIRONMENT AND FORESTS(SHRIMATI JAYANTHI NATARAJAN)

(a) to (e) A statement is laid on the Table of the House.

Statement referred to parts (a) to (e) of Lok Sabha Starred Question No. 3 on “Environmental Impact of Rail Projects” raised by Shri K. Sudhakaran to be answered on 1st August, 2011

(a) The Railway projects are not covered under the provisions of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Notification, 2006, as amended, and therefore, such projects do not require environmental clearance

(b) The project proponents, through accreditated Consultants are to undertake the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Study for assessment likely ecological and environmental impacts and the preparation of Environmental Management Plans. According to the information provided by the Railway Board, Ministry of Railways, the Thalassery-Mysore Railway line is not a sanctioned project.

(c) to (e) Does not arise, in view of the reply given to parts (a) and (b) above.