PANAJI
The Goa State Environment Impact Assessment Authority (Goa-SEIAA) of the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) has decided that any construction activity undertaken without submission of approved building plans from the competent authority will attract strict action, including revocation of the environmental clearance (EC) granted for the project.
The decision was taken by the Authority during its meeting held on October 29, after reviewing the MoEF&CC circular dated February 5, 2008, according to which the applications for Environmental Clearance (EC) are to be initially appraised based on building plans. The EC is to be granted only after the submission of approved building plans from the competent authority.
However, it was brought to the Authority’s attention that some competent bodies—such as the Town and Country Planning Department (TCP) and Planning and Development Authorities (PDAs)—were hesitant to approve building plans without prior EC, particularly in cases where projects fall under the provisions of the EIA Notification, 2006 and its subsequent amendments.
During the meeting, it was clarified that without prior EC, these authorities are unable to issue final building plan approvals.
“Instances were brought to the notice of the Authority by various stakeholders that competent authorities such as TCP/PDAs are not issuing building plans without prior EC,” the Authority noted.
Following detailed deliberations, the Authority resolved that prior EC may be granted provisionally, subject to the condition that the Project Proponent (PP) submits the approved building plan before initiating any form of civil activity. Commencement of work prior to such submission will be treated as a violation, warranting revocation of the EC.
For better coordination, the Authority also directed that whenever the TCP or PDAs approve a building plan with a built-up area exceeding 20,000 square metres, a copy of the approved plan must be forwarded to the Authority, and vice versa, to ensure consistency and regulatory compliance.
“The PP shall not commence any kind of civil activity, after obtaining EC, prior to the submission of the approved plan. Failing which, the Authority reserves the right to revoke the EC under Section 5 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986,” SEIAA said.
