“More than 95% projects get environment approval and more than 85% gets forest approval. I am trying my best to increase the rejection rate as we were somewhat liberal in the past and overlooked environmental issues,” Mr Ramesh said.
Making it clear that he means business, Mr Ramesh said that his ministry has lowered its specifications on roads passing through national forests.
Instead of four-lane highways, states and NHAI has been asked to make two lane roads while passing through forests and night time restrictions on speed limits have been imposed.
He made it clear that his ministry would not okay projects that would adversely impact natural reserves and the environment.
Earlier this month, Mr Kamal Nath had complained to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh about the delay, on account of environment and forest clearances, in 11 key projects of the National Highway Authority of India including expansion of a stretch of the National Highway-7 that passes through Pench tiger reserve in Madhya Pradesh that falls within Nath’s parliamentary constituency, Chhindwara.
The environment ministry did not accord approval as the road was to pass through a tiger reserve.
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