In a major boost to residential real estate sector, the government has eased green norms for the building and construction of residential projects up to 1.5 lakh sqm built-up area will not require prior―environmental clearance. In this connection, the environment and forests ministry recently issue notification and claimed that the move will quicken building and construction permission in urban areas. However, the prior green approval exemption will not be applicable for projects, including industrial sheds, educational institutions, hospitals and hostels. Urban local bodies such as municipalities will have the power to grant building permission, which may attract criticism from green activists in the country. However, such projects will have to fulfill ―environmental conditions through self declaration and certification while seeking building or construction permission from the local authorities. The built-up area has been defined as all covered areas, including basement and other service areas. The environmental conditions will be integrated in building bye-laws of all the states and UTs and as part of fulfilling conditions, the projects will have to use water efficient appliances, rainwater harvesting, waste management system, energy-efficient systems, renewable power, maintain air quality and noise standards and other conditions. The municipal bodies will issue the completion certificate only after being satisfied that the laid down norms have been adhered to strictly by the builders or plot owners. Prior to this, the ministry in a draft notification in March had proposed to increase the built up area to come under the prior green clearance regime from 20,000 m to 50,000 sq m., but now it has increased to 1.5 lakh sq meters. In the case of getting approval for township projects that have more that 1.5 lakh sq meters built-up area and up to 50 hectares, environment assessment report will be required, Housing and Urban Affairs Secretary D S Mishra said in a statement.
