Now local bodies such as municipalities, development authorities, and district panchayats will be able to give environmental clearance for construction projects with a built-up area between 20,000 sq m and 50,000 sq m as the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF) issues the final notification.
According to this notification, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) will be able to give environmental clearances for industrial sheds, educational institutions, hospital and education hostels.
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The notification dated November 14, states that local bodies can now give building permissions and completion certificates, provided environmental conditions specified in the appendix are met with. The appendix includes conditions related to natural drainage, water conservation, rainwater harvesting and groundwater recharge, waste management, energy, air quality, and noise and green cover. They also specify that no construction will be allowed on wetlands and water bodies.