The Vasant Kunj mall project, which had got stuck in regulatory troubles with the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) putting a stop to all construction activity on account of non-submission of certain environmental compliance documents, finally seems to have got back on track. According to reports, the ministry had finally given its formal ascent to the mall developers and granted them permission to resume construction after payment of a hefty penalty.

Having got the ministry’s clearance finally, all the developers have restarted construction work at the mall site. According to sources, the ministry gave the go-ahead through a written order on November 25 which had been sent to all the developers. This was confirmed by the Director of MoEF who said that the permission had indeed been given to the developers but refused to divulge the exact amount of the penalty.

It was earlier this year in May that the Supreme Court had stayed work on this complex until it received an Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) report from the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF). DDA had auctioned seven plots to different firms and companies for shopping complexes, malls and office space at Vasant Kunj mall site. The plots have gone to Regency Park Management, Beverely Park Maintenance, Ambience Developer, Maruti Udyog, Jasmine Projects, ONGC Videsh and ONGC.

Five of these seven developers had started construction work on this land without taking the mandatory clearance under the Environment Protection Act. According to the guidelines, passed in 2004, that have now been amended, any construction project of more than Rs 50 crore (including the cost of land) had to take an environment impact assessment (EIA) certificate from the MoEF.

The Supreme Court had asked the MoEF to take a final view on the subject and the ministry had given the go-ahead to all the builders but only after charging a hefty penalty from the one’s that had not taken its clearance earlier.

Meanwhile activists of the Ridge Bachao Aandolan, the forum that had filed a PIL in the Supreme Court against the project, were not happy with this development and were planning to approach the Supreme Court for a review of this order. The activists have raised concerns with regard to the destruction of the natural heritage of Delhi as well its impact on the water table of the area. According to the activists, the water table in this area had already fallen drastically and would fall even further if these malls come up.