Plea against redevelopment of the Pragati Maidan exhibition complex junked.

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has cleared the decks for redevelopment of the Pragati Maidan exhibition complex here and junked a plea challenging the decision to turn it into a world-class convention centre.

A Bench dismissed the plea, which also sought quashing of environmental clearance granted to the India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO), which manages the exhibition complex.

The NGT said doubts have been expressed by the applicant on reliability of studies undertaken and credibility of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report. It said these doubts are not supported by better materials and the plea deserves to be rejected.

“The tribunal, as the appellate authority against the grant of environmental clearance, has examined not only the EIA report but also all stages in the EIA process. Examination and scrutiny of the process does not reveal any substantial deficiency so as to vitiate the environmental clearance,” it said.

The tribunal, however, said it is necessary for the Union Environment Ministry and other regulatory authorities to ensure by monitoring the project closely that each condition of environmental clearance is meticulously complied with.

THE HINDU