NGT directs PMC to get environmental clearance before implementing HCMTR project
THE NATIONAL Green Tribunal (NGT) on Monday directed the PMC to get environmental clearance before implementing the ambitious High Capacity Mass Transit Route (HCMTR) in Pune.
The much-awaited HCMTR, also known as the inner ring road, is proposed to be constructed by acquiring 279.77 acres of land and removing 1,982 trees. The ambitious project — to build a 35.96-km ring road stretch to decongest city roads — was proposed 40 years ago and is now estimated to cost Rs 5,192 crore.
Environmentalists, however, raised objections to the implementation of the project without following the process of environmental clearance. They later appealed before the NGT in the matter.
