10/1/2018
PUNE: The
National Green Tribunal (NGT) imposed a fine of Rs.195 crore on city-based Goel
Ganga Developers for causing environmental damage at its Ganga Bhagyodaya,
Amrut Ganga and Ganga Towers projects on Sinhagad road.
The latest order has been issued in the wake of a review
petition filed by Tanaji Gambhire, a customer who has purchased a flat in the
Goel Ganga scheme. The flat purchaser in the said scheme filed an application
on December 2015 alleging serious environmental damages and the NGT passed an
order dated September 27, 2016, imposing fine of Rs. 100 crore or five per cent
of the project cost, whichever is less; this is in addition to another fine of Rs.
5 crore for contravening several environmental
laws in carrying out construction activities, including exceeding the
limits of the available environment clearance without obtaining consent.
A statement by the advocate who represented Gambhire said that
the petitioner filed the review application before the tribunal over the
demolition of an illegal structure, enhancement of the fine to Rs. 500 crore
and appropriate action against authorities. The applicant pursued the review
application wherein the question of non-consideration of affidavit of carbon
footprint was not replied to by Goel Ganga with details.
The NGT in its judgement dated January 8 states, “Goel Ganga
Developers India Private Limited shall pay environmental compensation cost of Rs.
190 crore or 5% (five per cent) of the total cost of project to be assessed by
State Expert Appraisal Committee (SEAC), whichever is more, for restoration and
restitution of environment damage and degradation caused by the project
proponent by carrying out the construction activities without the necessary
prior environmental clearance within a period of one month.
In addition to this, it shall also pay a sum of Rs. 5 crore
for contravening mandatory provision of several environment laws in carrying
out the construction activities in addition to and exceeding limit of the
available environment clearance and for not obtaining the consent from the
Board.”
Expressing disagreement with the NGT order, Atul Goel, MD,
Goel Ganga Developers, said, “We are in disagreement with the view taken by
NGT. We have always carried out construction in all our projects in accordance
with law and permission granted to us, and built our reputation on the same.” According to the developer,
the work going on at the site is as per the permissions received from Pune
Municipal Corporation (PMC) and the environmental department.
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