Environment Ministry team inspects Lavasa

Lavasa, Jan 5 (ANI): Officials of the Ministry of Environment and Forests visited the Lavasa township project site in Maharashtra on Wednesday to ensure that the project follows environment norms.

A team of environment officials and experts are on a three-day visit, as ordered by the Bombay High court, to survey the site proposed for a 25,000-acre infrastructure project, and its impact on the environment.

The Ministry had issued a show-cause notice, alleging clearances were not given under the 1994 and amended 2004 notifications on November 25, and the township project was put on hold.

The Ministry will take a decision by January 10 after an assessment of the site, and present the report to the court before a final order is given to the show-cause notice.

The Ministry of Environment and Forests had stayed construction work at the site alleging that Lavasa Corporation had violated the ministry notifications issued in 2004.

The court had earlier directed Lavasa to approach the ministry by December 9 regarding the stay imposed on the work and directed the ministry to pass an order on it by December 16.

However, the Ministry refused to vacate the stay and reply to the show cause notice. (ANI)