AIIMS, airport, public projects worth Rs 20,000 Cr saved from demolition as SC recalls verdict

New Delhi, Nov 18 (PTI) The Supreme Court verdict, recalling its May 16 judgement that had barred the Centre from granting retrospective environmental clearances to projects, has provided a lifeline to critical public infrastructure projects across India including an AIIMS in Odisha.

The majority verdicts of Chief Justice B R Gavai and Justice K Vinod Chandran said that if the May 16 verdict is not recalled, it will result in demolition of various buildings, projects constructed out of public exchequer to the tune of nearly Rs 20,000 crore.

The majority decision cited the potentially "devastating effects" on projects of national importance, including the 962-bed AIIMS hospital and a greenfield airport.

During the hearing, the Centre had given a list of projects that were stalled and at risk.

The CJI, in his majority opinion, highlighted three specific instances to illustrate the severe public interest crisis that the demolition order would trigger.

"A perusal of the list produced would reveal that out of the projects which will be adversely affected by the JUR, some of the projects are concerning construction of hospitals/medical colleges/airports and some are with regard to common effluent treatment plants," the CJI said.

If the May 16 verdict is not recalled, it will result in demolition of various buildings, projects constructed out of public exchequer to the tune of nearly Rs 20,000 crore, he said.

A fully-constructed medical facility with a capacity of approximately 962 beds, built to serve thousands of citizens in the region, faced complete demolition because it had proceeded without a prior EC.

"The first one is with regard to AIIMS Medical College and Hospital constructed in the state of Odisha. The college and the hospital buildings constructed there are having a capacity of approximately 962 beds which will have to be demolished on account of the JUR," he said.

A newly-built greenfield airport at Vijayanagar in Karnataka was also built without EC and facing demolition as per the May 16 verdict.

The judgement pointed to several CETPs, which are essential for treating industrial and sewage water to prevent pollution of rivers and streams.

The CJI asked "whether demolition of such effluent treatment plants, constructed using huge public exchequer, would be conducive to the protection of environment or against it?" With this recall, these projects now have a chance to be regularized under the now-revived 2017 notification and 2021 office memorandum, pending a final decision on their validity by the Supreme Court.

"I clarify that I am only considering the effect of the JUR on the projects being undertaken by the central government, state government, public undertakings etc. Needless to state that the effect on the projects undertaken by the private individuals/entities may be manifold," the CJI said. PTI SJK ZMN