Public comments invited till 3rd April, 2022 on draft amendments to omit the requirement of prior Environmental Clearance (EC) for aerial ropeways
The Environment Ministry (“Ministry”) has proposed amendments to the Schedule under Part II Section 3 (ii) of the Notification dated 14th September 2006, issued by the Ministry. The requirement of prior Environmental Clearance (EC) for aerial ropeways under item 7(g) of the said Schedule is proposed to be omitted.
Objections and suggestions, if any, are required to be addressed to the Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change within 3rd April, 2022 by post at Indira Paryavaran Bhawan, Jor Bagh Road, Aliganj, New Delhi-110003 or through e-mail at [sujit.baju@gov.in] and [diriapolicymoefcc@gov.in].
Background:
The ropeways are an important component of the transport network of the country as it can be used to provide last mile connectivity as well as mobility in hilly areas. The requirement of environmental clearance for these projects were made effective in 2006.
Further, according to the Expert Appraisal Committee of Infrastructure sector, aerial ropeway is an environment friendly mode of transport in hilly areas with least impact on environment compared to Roads/ Highways and has recommended that aerial ropeway projects may be excluded from the ambit of EIA Notification, 2006 subject to certain environmental safeguards prescribed from time to time.
