Question : PENDING PROJECTS FOR APPROVAL

(a) the total number of projects relating to environment and forests received from Maharashtra pending with the Union Government for approval;

(b) whether it is a fact that approval for the construction of international memorial of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar at Inndumill in Mumbai, re-development of industrial infrastructure, Mumbai Metro Line is also included therein;

(c) if so, the steps taken by the Government for expeditious clearance of these main projects; and

(d) the time by which these projects are likely to be cleared?

MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR ENVIRONMENT, FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE (SHRI PRAKASH JAVADEKAR)

(a) to (d) 203 project proposals have been received from Maharashtra seeking environment and forest clearance, including the construction of memorial of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar at Inndumill in Mumbai. The above project required certain amendment to the CRZ Notification, 2011. The land for the project which is of Ministry of Textiles, Government of India is required to be transferred to the State Government. However, the Solicitor General had opined that legislation for transferring land from Central Government to the State Government is to be made prior to the amendment in the CRZ Notification, 2011. The legislation by the Ministry of Textile has not yet been done.

CRZ clearance has been granted to the Mumbai Metro line project. The proposal for amendment to CRZ Notification, 2011 regarding development of industrial infrastructure in CRZ area was also received from Government of Maharashtra and the same was referred to an Expert Committee constituted under the Chairmanship of Secretary, Ministry of Earth Sciences. The Committee has submitted its report which is under consideration of the Ministry.