Environmental nod must for constructions over 20k sqm, says SC

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Tuesday held that any construction activity in the country with a built-up area of over 20,000 square metres will require environment clearance as it struck down major portions of a January 29 central notification exempting green nod for building and construction projects, including schools, colleges and industrial sheds, having built-up area of 20,000 to 1.50 lakh square metres.

- Abraham Thomas

The said notification was stayed by the top court on February 24 on a petition filed by NGO Vanashakti that was opposed by the Centre and some states alleging that the stay order was passed without hearing them. The order passed on Tuesday came on multiple applications moved by Centre, state of Maharashtra and real estate developers' association claiming that over 700 massive construction projects have been halted due to the stay granted.