MoEF&CC grants environmental clearance for facility upgrades
PANAJI
The Union Ministry for Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) has issued environmental clearance (EC) to the Goa-owned Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) for the upgrade of facilities, including the construction of a convention centre and training facility at its Institute of Petroleum Safety, Health and Environment Management (IPSHEM) located in Betul, Quepem taluka.
In a communication to ONGC on Friday, the Ministry informed them of the grant of EC for the proposed construction of a Convention Centre, Exhibition Hall, and Management Training Facility at the IPSHEM campus, covering a built-up area of 39,560 square metres under the EIA notification of 2006. The total cost of the project is Rs 239 lakhs.
The EC is based on site inspections and recommendations from the Goa State Expert Appraisal Committee, as well as the grant of EC by the Goa State Environment Impact Assessment Authority.
While granting the EC, the Ministry directed the project proponent to obtain all necessary clearances and permissions from relevant agencies, including the Town and Country Planning Department, before commencing work. “All construction shall be carried out in accordance with local building by-laws,” the EC conditions stipulate.
The Ministry also stated that the gross built-up area of the proposed construction must comply with the existing Floor Area Ratio (FAR) norms set by the local body and planning authorities. It should ensure compliance with these regulations, along with the survey number, before approving the layout plan and before granting the commencement certificate for the proposed work.