Ready to face any tribunal: HCC chief on Lavasa project

However, Gulabchand has not disclosed business details of Lavasa City only saying that it was doing good business

After battling with several hurdles for Lavasa City, now Ajit Gulabchand, chairman and managing director of Hindustan Construction Company (HCC) seems ready to face any kind of enquiry again. Recently, The Bombay High Court today said it would decide whether the case pertaining to alleged irregularities by Lavasa township near Pune can be transferred to the National Green Tribunal, set up to handle environment protection related issues.

Speaking to media in Pune today, Ajit Gulabchand, chairman and managing director of HCC limited, "If situation demands, we are ready to face any tribunal. Lavasa has got all the clearances and work is going on. I am sure we will complete the project."  

Lavasa Corporation, a subsidiary of HCC, had challenged in High Court the November 25, 2010 notice issued by MoEF directing stay on construction for not obtaining mandatory environment clearances before starting the project in 2004. Of the total project which was supposed to come up on 5,000 hectares of plot, construction has come up on 700 hectares.

However, Gulabchand has not disclosed the business details of Lavasa City only saying that it is doing good business. Strongly criticising Congress government at centre and state on policy paralysis, he said, "There are no fresh investments coming to India. For a country like India we need to create millions of jobs for which fresh investments are needed.”

Government is not doing anything to promote industries. We need to create an atmosphere for investments.  Infrastructure companies like Hindustan Construction Company and L & T who have completed government projects on time are not paid on time. It is hampering the private sector from bidding for government contracts.  

 

Earlier while delivering the key note address at the real estate and infrastructure meet organised by the Mahratta Chambers of Commerce Industries and Agriculture, (MCCIA), Gulabchand said, "We need to create jobs for millions and only by advocating public private partnership can we do it. India would soon become a land of opportunities."

Ajit Gulabchand on Narendra Modi: 

Praising Gujarat chief minister BJP PM candidate Narendra Modi, he said, "Congress who were in power for the last last ten years had failed to deliver and Modi deserves a chance as he is speaking for inclusive growth. Government has failed to induce any moves, which would allow growth. Modi's vision and his economic policies were a welcome change from the Nehruvian socialism followed by the Congress. Modi deserves the chance as he provides a good alternative. He talks about giving the red carpet to the industry, which is the need of the hour."