NGT Forms Expert Committee To Investigate Into The Status Of Environmental Compliances In Gurugram

NGT Forms Expert Committee To Investigate Into The Status Of Environmental Compliances In Gurugram

The Amaltash Residents Welfare Association (ARWA) of The Laburnum Society (“Society”) in Gurugram had approached the National Green Tribunal (“NGT”) highlighting glaring environmental and procedural violations being committed by Silverglades Infrastructure Pvt. Ltd., who are constructing their Group Housing Project, namely, Hightown Residences, adjacent to the said Society. ARWA contended that the environmental clearance granted to the said company for its project by the State Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA), Haryana, was unlawfully issued, without considering the impact on the environment, the green cover, as well as the traffic of the surrounding areas.

The NGT, acknowledged the gravity of the issues raised and passed an order constituting an Expert Committee to investigate into the alleged violations in the said project.

The NGT directed the Committee to submit its findings to the Chairman of the SEIAA, Haryana, within a period of three months, where after a further period of two months is granted to the Chairman of the SEIAA, Haryana, to decide whether the environmental clearance granted for the said project should be revoked. To ensure strict compliance, the NGT has further directed the SEIAA, Haryana, to submit an “action-taken report” with the NGT on completion of the said two months.

A Coram of Justice Prakash Shrivastava, Chairperson; Justice Arun Kumar Tyagi, Judicial Member and Dr. A. Senthil Vel, Expert Member presided over the case.

Dr. Lalit Bhasin, along with Arush Khanna, Vaibhav Mehra, and Devrat Tiwari, Advocates, appeared for the Amaltash Residents Welfare Association.