Question : CONSTRUCTION OF ROADS IN FOREST AREAS

(a) whether certain stringent provisions of the Forest Conservation Act, 1980 regulating construction work in Forest areas have been relaxed for facilitating construction of National Highways in Forest Areas;

(b) if so, the details thereof alongwith the length of roads construction undertaken in Forest areas of the country, State-wise and NH-wise;

(c) whether the construction work on the roads is pending;

(d) if so, the details thereof; and

(e) the steps taken/proposed to be taken for expeditious completion of construction in this regard?

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS (SHRI R.P.N. SINGH)

(a) & (b) No, Sir.

(c) & (d) Yes, Sir. The details of the proposals under National Highways Development Project (NHDP) pending clearance for Environment and Forests are enclosed as Annex.

(e) National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is coordinating with Ministry of Environment & Forests, Regional Offices and State Governments at various levels to expedite clearances.

ANNEX

ANNEX REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (c) AND (d) OF LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4299 FOR ANSWER ON 4.8.2009 ASKED BY SHRI SANJAY SINGH CHAUHAN REGARDING CONSTRUCTION OF ROADS IN FOREST AREAS

THE LIST OF PROPOSALS PENDING IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT AND FOREST/HON’BLE SUPREME COURT/ STATE GOVERNMENT FOR CLEARANCE.

Sl.No.	Proposal
1.	Jhansi-Lalitpur section of NH-26 in the State of Uttar Pradesh
2.	Chattisgarh/Maharashtra Boarder Wainganga Bridge section of NH-6 (km 450 to km 485) in	the State of Maharashtra
3.	Dhule-MP Border in Dhule Distt. of NH-3 in the State of Maharashtra
4.	Construction of 4/6 lane in South Seoni Forest Division of NH-7 in the  State of M.P.
5.	Construction of 4/6 lane in MP/MH Border- Nagpur Section of NH-7 under Nagpur Forest Division 
6.	Kachugaon and Haltugaon Forest Divisions in Kokrajhar Distt. of NH-31C in the State of	Assam
7.	4-laning of NH-54 in Langthing Mupa Reserved Forest and Manderdisa-Hatikhali Reserve	Forest in North Cachar Hills Division, Haflong in the State of Assam
8.	NH-54 from Lankajan to Jothang Basti and Odali to Lumding in Nagaon South Forest Div.,	Hojai in Distt. Nagaon in the State of Assam
9.	Construction of 4/6 lane in North Seoni Forest Division of NH-7 in the  State of M.P.
10.	Widening and strengthening of the existing NH-24 from km.86.00 to km.93.00 (Hapur-	Garhmukteshwar) to 4-lane standard in U.P. (Pkg 1) 
11.	Diverison of 6.925 ha forest land on Hapur-Muradabad Section of NH-24 between Km.93 to	km.104.700 for construction of 4-lane, U.P. Pkg-II
12.	4/6 laning of NH-7 from km.626 to km.635.600 on the periphery of Mowgali Pench Tiger	Reserve, M.P.