The Supreme Court has asked the Jaipur Metro Development Authority to take permission from the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) if it wants to mine sand for its metro rail project.
The order on April 16 came in response to an appeal filed by Jaipur metro authorities, seeking clarification and modification of the apex court’s order of February 27. The order makes it mandatory to seek clearance from the MoEF even for mining minor mineral on land parcels of less than five hectares. The authorities contended that the move was obstructing construction of the metro rail project in the state.
“No modification or clarification of the order dated February 27, 2012 would be made on the sand mining issue,” said the bench headed by Justice K S Radhakrishnan. MoEF shall consider within 10 days any application moved by the metro corporation for excavating sand from the river bed, it added.
Thus, the Rs 1,250 crore project is likely to get delayed. Jaipur metro rail’s first phase of construction started on November 13, 2010. The sand requirement for the project can be met by mining Banas river, which originates in the Khamor hills of the Aravallis. The project was to be completed by January 1, 2013.
“All processes for the implementation of stage 1 of the project (Mansarover to Chandpole), including civil works, permanent way, depot and power supply is being managed by Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) and the procedures regarding environmental clearance would also be managed by the DMRC,” says Ravi Mohan Matu of Jaipur Metro Rail Corporation.
Meanwhile, Atul Gadvil, general manager (civil) with DMRC says the environmental clearance would surely delay the project.