Public purpose projects to get speedy green nod: Prakash Javadekar

There was a Coast Guard proposal for setting up ‘chowkis' (posts) meant for strenghtening of the security mechanism along the coastal belt in the wake of November 2008 Mumbai attacks and that too was kept pending for years, he said.  

“How can you stop it? The coast guard stations will have to come up on coast, not in a jungle. So you have to sanction it,” he said, adding, “We have sanctioned it. Right from Lakshadweep to all states.”

Emphasising that the Indian military needs to develop infrastructure, Javadekar said his ministry has empowered the states bordering China to give approval for defence projects.  

“We decided that border roads will be under ‘general approval' category and will require no other sanction. So files won't be coming to me now. It will be at the local level,” the Environment Minister said.  

He said resettlement, conservation of nature and afforestation also need to be done but road construction on the border was also a “must” .

He said, “Even the nod for transmission line projects was pending. I do not understand if they are passing through jungle or sanctuaries, we will definitely see whether there is an alternative available but if there is a basic requirement.  

Javadekar also said that timelines for environmental and forest clearance are being brought down and processes are being made transparent to shed the image of ‘roadblock' ministry.