CB BureauIn a bid to fast-track highways projects, the ministry of road transport and highways (MORTH) has asked the government to de-link environment and forest clearances for such projects. According to the ministry, it takes about 12-15 months to seek environment clearance, another 1 year to 2 years to get forest clearance, and over three years for wildlife clearance.
While wildlife clearance takes place simultaneously, since April 2011 environment clearance has been linked to forest clearance, which means that the former will be received only if forest clearance is given. Hence, it takes about three years to get environment clearance.
As per the guidelines, environment clearance is essential for widening a 30 kilometres-plus highway by more than 20 metres. Even if 20 metres of additional land is required out of a stretch of 100 kilometres, it has to go through the process.
At present, about 11 proposals on major highway projects are pending with the ministry of environment and forests (MoEF) and the National Board of Wildlife, but with the linking of the two clearances, more projects may face delays in the future.