The petitioner also submitted the minutes of this meeting, chaired by Rajiv Gauba, the former secretary, Ministry of Urban Development.
The demolition of Hall of Nations and Industry and commencement of India Trade Promotion Organization (ITPO) redevelopment construction without prior environmental clearances has happened not only in contravention of environmental norms but also National Green Tribunal (NGT) orders, the petitioner challenging green clearance of the project submitted to the green court. The petitioner also informed the green court that days before the demolitions on April 21, 2017, the Urban Development Ministry asked the ITPO and National Buildings Construction Corporation Limited to complete the environmental impact assessment (EIA) in three weeks.
The petitioner also submitted the minutes of this meeting, chaired by Rajiv Gauba, the former secretary, Ministry of Urban Development. These were reviewed by DNA. In the minutes, which discussed the progress of the International Exhibition-cum-convention centre, it was stated, "ITPO and NBCC were asked to complete EIA in 3 weeks. Thereafter, MoEF&CC would issue EC as per rules/extant instructions, by 15/6/2017 positively."
But, when this meeting took place, environment ministry's expert panel that appraises infrastructure projects, had not even received the project proposal and hence had not granted the terms of reference that are granted for carrying out an EIA assessment, the petitioner claimed. This was reviewed by DNA and documents available on environment ministry's website showed that ToR was granted after this meeting in May.
"A timeline as per official documents available on the website of ministry it is clear...the baselines studies were conducted much before the grant of terms of reference by the Ministry and therefore the study is completely lacking," the petitioner submitted on Monday.
The petitioner also alleged that there was no application of mind by the expert appraisal committee of environment ministry while clearing the project they did not consider the fact that demolitions were carried before the proposal was granted green clearance.
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