Environment Min to ease norms for defence projects in border areas

Javadekar says delays in defence projects were due to "case by case decision making process"

The environment ministry is planning to ease clearance norms for defence projects falling within 100 kilometers of the border areas. The environment ministry is creating a policy framework through which approval would be given for the border roads and defence projects infrastructure within 100 km-range of the Line of Actual Control (LAC) without hampering the environmental conservation in a fast track mode, environment minister Prakash Javadekar said on Thursday.

He was quick to add that the process would be completed after bringing on board Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Defence Minister Arun Jaitley.

"But, we won't compromise with environmental considerations. We will just make sure that we cut short the delays," Javadekar told reporters after meeting defence secretary R K Mathur along with environment ministry officials in the morning.

 

"We met them (defence ministry officials) at their request because many of their projects were held up. The issue was how to ensure there won't be delay. The answer is policy-based decision," he said.

The 4,056-km-long LAC with China touches four states-- Jammu and Kashmir, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh and Sikkim.

Javadekar said delays in defence projects were due to "case by case decision making process" and the ministry will make policy-led decisions to fast-track them. "We are evolving new ways of solutions."

The details of the policy framework would be worked out soon and the document would be put in public domain. The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government has been pushing for fast-tracking the defence projects awaiting environment and forest clearances since assuming charge at the Centre.