NGT Approves Baner Real Estate Project with Strict Pollution Monitoring

Pune: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has given the green light for construction to resume at a real estate project in Baner, a bustling suburb of Pune. However, the western zone bench of the NGT has ordered the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) to closely monitor the project to prevent any further violations of noise and dust pollution norms.

The NGT bench, comprising Justice Dinesh Kumar Singh and Dr. Sujit Kumar Bajpayee, issued its order on December 8. The project proponent submitted scientific test reports demonstrating that ambient air and noise levels were within the permissible limits. This evidence was crucial in the tribunal's decision to allow construction to proceed, albeit with stringent conditions.

The tribunal directed the MPCB to visit the site within a week to assess whether additional measures are necessary to maintain dust and noise levels within the prescribed limits. If any further steps are required, the MPCB must issue directions immediately. The NGT also ordered the MPCB to conduct quarterly monitoring of the project to ensure that violations do not recur. Quarterly reports must be submitted to the tribunal registry.

To ensure accountability, the NGT instructed the MPCB to determine whether any environmental damage compensation should be levied for past violations. The pollution board must calculate this amount after providing an opportunity for the parties involved to be heard.

Additionally, the NGT directed the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) to establish a standard protocol for construction activities to mitigate air and noise pollution. The civic body has been given three months from the date of the order to complete this task.

Saurabh Kulkarni, counsel for Advik Real Estate LLP, informed the Times of India that the tribunal observed that excavation at the site is already complete, and only basement construction is underway. Based on the available evidence, the bench concluded that there is minimal risk of air and noise pollution recurring at this stage.

On December 5, the NGT had temporarily halted construction in response to a petition filed by the Supreme Pallacio Cooperative Housing Society through advocate Maitreya Ghorpade. The tribunal had directed that construction should not resume until the MPCB verified compliance with dust and noise parameters. The recent order clarifies that the NGT did not issue a blanket stop-work order but conditioned further construction on the implementation of adequate pollution control measures.

This decision by the NGT strikes a balance between allowing development and ensuring environmental protection, setting a precedent for future real estate projects in the region. The involvement of the MPCB and the PMC in monitoring and regulating construction activities underscores the importance of adhering to environmental norms in urban development.