Supreme Court allows challenge to environmental clearance

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Wednesday allowed petitioners to challenge the environmental clearance (EC) granted on June 17 to the Central Vista project, which involves construction of a new Parliament building.

A bench comprising Justices A M Khanwilkar, Dinesh Maheshwari and Sanjiv Khanna told Senior Advocate Shyam Divan that his clients are allowed to file a petition within a week under Article 32 of the Constitution to challenge the environmental clearance to the project.

Divan argued in an intervention application filed on behalf of private individuals having expertise in the field.

The top court also asked the Centre to file a reply within a week after the filing of the petition.

The matter was posted for further hearing in the week commencing August 17.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the Centre, contended before the bench that the petitioners should bear in mind that the central government is not dealing with private industry.

"This project deals with national interest. There are verdicts which state that issues of public law like here (in the case) cannot be raised by public-spirited individuals. Intentions here look to delay the project," Mehta submitted while contesting Divan's arguments.

The apex court allowed Divan to file an appeal in the National Green Tribunal (NGT).

"We will first decide the land-use issues here at the Supreme Court and after that if the question on environmental clearance remains, then the NGT can look into it. If land use itself is not permitted, then the EC is not permitted," noted the bench. (IANS)

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