To widen NHs, roads ministry seeks to skip green approvals

NEW DELHI: In its bid to expedite construction of roads and highways and to cut delays, the road transport and highways ministry will seek exemption from environment clearance for all brownfield (existing) roads and lane expansion projects irrespective of their length.
The action plan has been finalised as part of the roadmap for effective implementation of budget initiatives. Currently, no environment clearance is required to expand any existing linear project of up to 100km and also road projects which are built as bypass for urban areas.
Sources said the action plan for “streamlining process of environment clearance” has been prepared as part of the overall plan to fast-track the budget announcements. The plan has been prepared following a webinar which PM Narendra Modi addressed to kick off the first-ever move to engage with all stakeholders to chalk out strategy for faster implementation of budget proposals.
TOI has learnt that the road transport ministry has set a September 3 deadline for seeking this exemption from the environment and forests ministry.