PANAJI
In what could be a smooth sailing for MIT World Peace University, proposed at Tivim, the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) has exempted educational institutions with a built-up area of less than 1.50 lakh sq mts from obtaining Environmental Clearance (EC).
The Union ministry has amended the criteria for obtaining environmental clearance through a notification issued on January 29, wherein the building and construction projects with built up area of more than 20,000 sq mts but less than 1.50 lakh sq mts require EC prior to start of the project.
“The projects or activities shall not include industrial shed, school, college, hostel for educational institutions, but such buildings shall ensure sustainable environmental management, solid and liquid waste management, rain water harvesting and may be recycled materials such as fly ash bricks,” the notification stated.
Highly placed sources informed that though, the MIT private university has acquired an area of around 2 lakh sq meters, which belongs to comunidade, the construction is restricted to 1.30-1.40 lakh sq mts land and hence they will stand exempted from EC.
At present, construction projects or buildings with a built-up area of 50,000 sq mts require prior EC. “The term built-up area for the purposes is defined as the built up or covered area on all floors put together, including its basement and other service areas, which are proposed in the building or construction projects,” the notification added.
Also, the township and area development projects covering an area of more than 50 ha and or built up area of more than 1.50 lakh sq mts should obtain prior EC.
The Ministry said that the township and area development projects covered under these items shall require undertaking Environment Impact Assessment study.
The State Cabinet earlier this week granted approval to declare the proposed private university site at Tivim as an investment promotion area. The university will offer courses in engineering, marine engineering, medical sciences, management studies, arts, journalism, and public policy, among others.
