The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed Haryana's State Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA) to investigate illegal construction at Mayfield Garden, following a petition from the Orchid Island Residents' Welfare Association. The NGT noted that SEIAA had recently ordered a halt to construction due to the lack of necessary environmental clearances. Mayfield Garden has faced scrutiny since extensive building activities began on sold plots. An earlier interim NGT order aimed to prevent illegal activities, leading to findings that developers had not obtained required approvals. The tribunal's ruling underscores the need for environmental compliance before construction, ensuring accountability and transparency.
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) recently mandated Haryana's State Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA) to investigate illegal construction activities at the expansive 327-acre Mayfield Garden. This directive came during a hearing concerning a petition filed by the Orchid Island Residents' Welfare Association (RWA), which alleged that construction was progressing without the necessary environmental clearances.
During the tribunal's review earlier this month, it noted that SEIAA had issued a directive to halt all construction at Mayfield Garden just four days prior. This development site, which began its residential plot development in 1994, encompasses five sectors (47, 50, 51, 52, and 57). In recent years, extensive construction on plots sold to multiple developers and buyers has raised concerns, necessitating mandatory environmental approvals, including consent to establish and consent to operate from the pollution control board.
Earlier this year, the NGT issued an interim order instructing the Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB) to ensure that illegal construction activities did not occur within Mayfield Garden. Following this, a state-appointed committee conducted an inspection, revealing that the licensee companies had not obtained the required environmental clearances. Based on these findings, SEIAA officially halted all construction activities on October 1.
The NGT confirmed that SEIAA's order to stop all activities at the site until environmental clearances were secured adequately addressed the petitioners' grievances regarding unauthorised construction. However, the tribunal also recognised the concerns of the project proponents, who argued that SEIAA had not provided them with an opportunity to be heard before issuing the halt order. In response, the bench indicated that SEIAA must determine the extent of construction carried out without the necessary clearances, ensuring accountability and compliance moving forward.
This ruling underscores the NGT's commitment to environmental regulation and the importance of securing necessary approvals before proceeding with development projects.
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