The Hindu : Kerala / Kochi News : Uncertainty over proposal to constitute Environment Division

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Apr 22, 2005

Kerala

Kerala - Kochi

Uncertainty over proposal to constitute Environment Division

K.S. Sudhi

Financial constraints delay Kochi's Corporation's venture

KOCHI: The formation of the Environment Division (ED) in Kochi Corporation is getting delayed, dashing the hopes of Kochi to become the first environment-sensitive civic body in the country.

The LDF-controlled civic administration had made the promise of setting up an ED as part of the Paristithi Bhavan in its third annual budget. Though Paristithi Bhavan had been formed, the ED has not materialised, as the Corporation has failed to finalise the procedural formalities.

The ED was to function as part of the Town Planning standing committee of the Corporation.

Government approval

The proposal has already got the approval of the Corporation Council and it now has to receive the approval of the State Government.

The Government approval is necessary, as there is no precedent for setting up the division, which requires proper and scientifically-trained staff and infrastructure for functioning, said K.D. Vincent, chairman, Town Planning Standing Department.

According to the original plan, the ED will have to vet all major project proposals having environmental impact and coming under the ambit of Town Planning, including the construction of high-rise buildings and even drains. Any application for such projects should be accompanied by an Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) report that would be issued by the Division. This provision has given rise to fears that projects may get unduly delayed in the city, which is witnessing a construction boom.

Safeguards

Mr. Vincent is of the view that some safeguards should be incorporated in the law to ensure that the EIA reports are issued within a stipulated period, failing which the development process would be hampered.

Financial constraints and some other administrative bottlenecks have delayed the formation of the Division, said C.M. Dinesh Mani, Kochi Mayor. Though the Corporation had appointed a coordinator for the programme, the administration did not get the desired service from him and hence the delay, he said. The civic administration has completed all the groundwork for setting up the division, including clearing of rules. Now, the procedural formalities are to be finalised, including the manner in which EIA has to be done.

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