MoEF initiates steps for speedy approval of infrastructure projects

21 Mar 2013 Evaluate

The Ministry of Environment and Forest (MoEF) has initiated steps for speedy approval to infrastructure projects including coal and highways, which are blocked for want of green nod.  Around 20 major highways projects entailing investment of Rs 27,000 crore have been blocked for long due to various reasons including delays in environment clearances and financial challenges. The government has set the ambitious 8800 km road project target for this financial year, while, the National Highways Authority of India’s (NHAI) has achieved only one-tenth of it.

On the other hand, 8 coal projects entailing investment of about Rs 1,000 crore are awaiting green clearances and the coal ministry had been pitching for their early approval. Coal India (CIL), which accounts for over 80 per cent of the domestic coal output, missed its production target last fiscal and produced only 435.84 million tonne (MT) against the revised target of 447 MT for various reasons, including delays in obtaining environment and forestry approvals for new mines.

The government has identified the development of infrastructure as a most critical prerequisite to boost the economy’s growth. The pace of development in the infrastructure sector lingers to a great extent on the investments made and timely execution of the projects. For the 12th Five Year Plan (2012-17), the government has set the $1-trillion investment target for the infrastructure sector. 

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