JOIN USKempegowda Layout project hits green hurdle
The much-delayed Nadaprabhu Kempegowda Layout of the BDA has hit another hurdle.
The State-level Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA), which the BDA had approached for environment clearance (EC), has listed five conditions.
They are - BDA shall make provisions for protecting flora and fauna in the Environment Management Plan budget, some portion of rainwater has to be allowed to flow from proposed project area for downstream users, the number of trees to be cut have to be listed and compensated for, the buffer area around the forest land has to be used for greenery development only and no developmental activity should be carried out there and BDA shall earmark area within the project site to establish a solid waste management plant.
As per Environmental Impact notification issued by the central government, development of areas and townships of over 50 hectares need an EC. Hence, BDA approached the SEIAA, which has been set up by the Centre for according EC for large layout projects, on March 4.
The BDA issued final notification for the layout in 2009 and presently, land acquisition is under way. The proposed layout is spread across 4,043 acres and 27 guntas between Yeshwantpur and Kengeri hoblis, offering 5,000 sites and 10,000 flats to people.
Based on the Environment Protection Act, 1986, and the notification of the Ministry of Environment and Forests dated September 14, 2006, the central government constituted a three-member SEIAA. To assist SEIAA, Central government along with State government constituted a 14-member State-level Expert Appraisal Committee of Karnataka (SEAC). The committees was notified on May 2 this year.
Speaking to Deccan Herald, Ramachandra, SEIAA member secretary and secretary to the department of Environment and Ecology, said appraisal of the project had been done and was pending for EC, subject to certain conditions. The SEAC considered the appraisal on September 21 and gave its recommendations subject to consideration by SEIAA.
As per norms, applicant (BDA), while applying, has to clearly state land use details with conceptual plan including plot details, internal circuits like road connectivity, green belt, rainwater harvesting, solid waste management and source of water. Only when these criteria are met, the application is processed.
BDA has stated that 45 per cent of the land acquired will be used for civic amenities, playgrounds, roads and other purposes. The remaining 55 per cent will be used for residential sites. Of this 55 per cent, 40 per cent will be offered as compensation to farmers and the remaining 60 per cent will be BDA’s share.
This is the first time BDA has applied for EC for a layout and second time for a project. BDA had applied for EC for Peripheral Ring Road in November 2014.