NGT Withdraws Godrej Bengaluru Project Environment Clearance

The Supreme Court set aside a National Green Tribunal order quashing the environmental clearance granted to a high-rise luxury project by Godrej Properties Limited and Wonder Projects Development Private Limited in Bengaluru. The green panel had ruled that the construction would fall within the buffer zone of the Kaikondrahalli Lake and therefore is violative of the zoning laws. The NGT had said "It is clear that the project stipulates construction in the buffer zone, which is in violation of the zoning plan and a judgement of this tribunal as affirmed by the Supreme Court. Accordingly, the EC is quashed." The apex court said on the date the impugned order was passed by NGT, the final round of inspection had not been completed and the tribunal did not have the benefit of the final report by the joint committee for making a factual determination, to arrive at a conclusion. The apex court asked the NGT to dispose of the appeal after reconsideration within a period of six weeks from the first date on which the parties appear before it. The NGT shall also provide opportunity to all the parties to put forth any additional documents or objections if any to the report and thereafter consider the matter in accordance with law.