NGT SZ fined Rs 5.5 crore to Puravankara Projects for breaking environmental laws

In 2008, Puravankara Projects Limited obtained the required environmental clearance for construction of a residential apartment complex named Provident Cosmo City at Pudupakkam in Chengalpet with 1,184 units.

On Monday, the National Green Tribunal Southern Zone (NGT SZ) instructed a Chennai-based private builder to pay Rs 5.5 crore for violating environmental laws.

In 2008, Puravankara Projects Limited obtained the required environmental clearance for construction of a residential apartment complex named Provident Cosmo City at Pudupakkam in Chengalpet with 1,184 units.

Puravankara decided to expand the complex by constructing 990 more residential units the next year and again applied for environmental clearance. This time the NGT clearance could not be obtained from the government, but the builder still went ahead with the construction and increased the total residential units count to 2,174, according to an application filed before the tribunal by the apartment residents in 2021.

The application also mentions about certain deficiencies in the sewage treatment plants (STPs) and diesel generator (DG) sets, and this caused foul odour and heavy noise.

A joint-committee constituted by the tribunal to study this issue noted a few deficiencies in the manner an STP was operated and the ambient noise level was between 59.6 decibels (dB) to 65.8 dB as against the standard of 55 dB.

In their investigation, they also found out that no permission (consent to establish/operate) was obtained by Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB).

Based on the findings, the NGT SZ directed the project proponent to pay Rs 1.2 crore as compensation for damaging the environment.

In response to the allegations, the builder argued that the inspection was done by the joint-committee nearly three years after the maintenance was handed over to the occupants of the apartment complex − Cosmo City Residents Welfare Association (CCRWA) and therefore CCRWA is to be held responsible and should have to pay the compensation.

On May 23, after hearing both sides and after investigation of the project the tribunal found the project proponent had violated environmental laws and they were liable to pay a compensation of Rs 5.5 crore within two months and rectify deficiencies pointed out by the committee. Once the defects are rectified, CCRWA has been told to carry out the maintenance of STP and DG sets.

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