Question : ENVIRONMENTAL CLEARANCE FOR HIGHWAYS PROJECTS

(a) whether various projects of roads and national highways are lying suspended for want of clearance from the Ministry of Environment and Forests;

(b) if so, the State-wise details of such projects alongwith the reason therefor and the extent to which cost escalated in these projects;

(c) whether the Government has held any talks with the Ministry of Environment and Forests in this regard; and

(d) if so, the outcome thereof alongwith the time by which these projects are likely to be granted clearance?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS (SHRI JITIN PRASADA)

(a) & (b): Yes, Madam. Twenty one projects undertaken by National Highways Authority of India held up for want of environment clearance from Ministry of Environment and Forests. The State- wise details are at Annexure. The delay is mainly due to the linking of environmental clearance with the forest clearance and condition of obtaining No Objection Certificate from the Gram Sabha of each village under Forest Rights Act, 2006. Both the issues result into delay in the process of granting of environmental clearance. There is no cost escalation as these projects are under Build, Operate and Transfer (BOT) mode.

(c) & (d) : Yes, Madam. Meetings have been held with Ministry of Environment and Forest regarding pending issues, which is now giving clearance for the projects, on receipt of No Objection Certificate under Forest Rights Act, 2006 and compliances of other formalities.