In a bid to fast-track metro rail projects in various cities, the ministry of urban development (MoUD) has proposed that these plans be exempted from environmental clearances for an area of up to five acres.
The ministry has sought a ‘critical projects status (public utility)’ for metro connectivity on similar lines as given to roads, water supply and other public utilities in areas affected by Left-wing extremism.
This status would mean that the state government can give environmental and forest clearances.
In a Cabinet note, the ministry has also proposed that the compensation paid for the land to the government departments such as the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) should only be at government-to-government pricing ? no market-determined price will be required to pay to the government departments.
The delays in land acquisition are resulting in cost escalation for many metro projects. The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation is missing the deadline for phase III as it has been unable to acquire land.
Other Metro projects such as Kochi and Mumbai are also facing the similar problems.
?It is proposed that a general approval should be given to metro projects for area up to five acres on similar lines as has been granted by MoEF in cases of certain categories of critical projects like road and public utilities to be undertaken in 60 left-wing extremism affected districts. For these projects, clearances from MoEF are not required and the state government is empowered to clear such projects,? the cabinet note said.
It has been generally seen that project lands from the state government, its agencies and private parties are made available in a timely manner, whereas land belonging to the central government departments (specially defence and PSUs) are difficult to get, holding up project work.
The ministry has also asked for a change in the Ancient Monument and Archeological Remains Act, saying there shouldn’t be any prohibition for construction in these protected areas.
The Delhi Metro, which has set efficiency standards by wrapping up construction work on time, is a finding it hard to keep up with its schedule of the phase III expansion, mainly because of land acquisition hurdles.
It might also miss its 2016 deadline for the completion of the project, causing a cost escalation of up to 30%.
?We face a lot of problems in acquiring land mainly from the central government departments and PSUs. If all these proposals are cleared by the Cabinet, undertaking metro projects would become hassle-free for metro corporations,? a senior DMRC official told FE.