Environmental clearance by Mantri Techzone Pvt Ltd revoked as per the orders of NGT

BENGALURU: As per the orders from the National Green Tribunal (NGT), the restoration of environmental clearance has been revoked. Which was applied by Mantri Techzone Pvt Ltd., developer of a “mixed use development project/building complex”, who has slated to have come up on the wetlands between Agra and Bellandur lakes.

Ever since the matter had reached the NGT, the Rs 2,347 crore project has been stranded. In April 2015, it had granted an interim order staying all construction at the project site. On May 4, 2016, the NGT in its final verdict stayed the construction and had also directed that whatever structures have been built should be demolished as in the view of violating the conditions which were stipulated in the initial environment clearance.

However, Mantri Techzone Pvt Ltd., Had appealed against the NGT verdict. On August 13, 2018, the principal bench had directed Mantri Techzone Pvt Ltd. to obtain environmental clearance again, after taking note of the undertakings of the developer to comply with all the observations which were made in the 2016 verdict of the NGT.

Sources privy to the development have said that, the plea for fresh approval reveals the fact that the project does not fall in the lake buffer zone which was stipulated by the NGT.

“The environmental clearance was revoked by SEIAA on February 23, 2017 as per the NGT order. Now the request for restoration of environmental clearance has been received, but we have decided to invite the developer to the next meeting and explain the things,” an SEIAA official said on condition of anonymity.

The mixed use development project is comprised of residential, retail, hotel, office, SEZ and non-SEZ wings and stands on a plot measuring 2,76,070.7 sq m. The total built-up area is 13,50,454.9 sq m. It is being developed by the Manipal ETA Infotech Pvt Ltd., Which is a joint venture between the Century Real Estate and the Mantri builders.