DLF’s
upcoming project Mall of India in Noida, projected to be one of the largest in
India, has been served a notice to stop all construction activities till a
clearance from the National Board for Wildlife is obtained. The notice has been
served by the UP pollution Control Board.
According
to people close to the development, DLF already has ‘consent to establish’
since 2007-08. The company recently applied for renewal because of increased
floor area ratio (FAR) and the application has yet not been cleared as the
project falls within 10-km radius from the Okhla bird sanctuary.
According
to an order by the National Green Tribunal, the area coming under the 10-km
radius around the Okhla bird sanctuary is to be considered eco-sensitive. The
order has impacted various real estate projects in the area, which are now
pending for the want of a completion certificate.
The
construction work on the Mall of India has almost been completed with only
finishing work remaining. The mall is schedule to open in February-March next
year and the company has already leased out 90 per cent of the area. Mall of
India has 2 million sq ft of leasable area and is being set up at an investment
of Rs 1,100 crore.
After
taking stakeholders’ opinion, the environment ministry will come out with a
fresh directive on the eco-sensitive zone. Until then, the National Board of
Wildlife is unlikely to clear any project.
When
contacted, a senior official from DLF Ltd said: “Similar to various other
developers who have projects in Noida, we are also awaiting clarifications from
the Ministry of Environment and Forests on the issue.”
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