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The Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has reconstituted Chandigarh’s State Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA) and State Expert Appraisal Committee (SEAC), appointing new members to oversee environmental clearances for major real estate, infrastructure and civic projects. Retired IFS officer Suresh Kumar Vashishth will head the SEIAA, while former Punjab Pollution Control Board chairman Ravindra Singh will lead the SEAC. The revamped panels are expected to strengthen project appraisal and facilitate timely environmental clearances in the Union Territory.
The Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has reconstituted Chandigarh’s key environmental clearance bodies, bringing in new leadership to oversee the appraisal and approval of major construction and infrastructure projects in the Union Territory.
The move involves the reconstitution of the State Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA) and the State Expert Appraisal Committee (SEAC), which are responsible for evaluating proposals for large residential developments, commercial complexes, industrial projects and civic infrastructure requiring environmental clearance.
According to official notifications, retired Indian Forest Service officer Suresh Kumar Vashishth has been appointed chairman of the three-member SEIAA, replacing former chairman Rakesh Kumar Popli. The authority also includes Dr Rajesh Kumar and Dr Satinder Kaur as members.
The SEAC, which conducts technical evaluations and recommends projects to the SEIAA, will now be headed by former Punjab Pollution Control Board chairman Ravindra Singh. The committee comprises experts from disciplines including environmental engineering, ecology, urban planning, hydrology and waste management.
The reconstitution comes at a time when Chandigarh is witnessing increased activity in urban infrastructure and real estate development. Several large residential, institutional and public projects are awaiting environmental clearances, making the functioning of these bodies critical for timely approvals.
The SEIAA grants environmental clearances based on recommendations made by the SEAC after detailed appraisal of projects. These include assessments related to land use, water consumption, waste management, air quality, biodiversity and compliance with environmental norms.
Officials said the revamped panels are expected to enhance the efficiency of the clearance process while ensuring that environmental safeguards remain integral to development planning. The committees play a pivotal role in balancing urban growth with ecological sustainability, particularly in a city like Chandigarh, where regulated development and green spaces are central to the master plan.
The appointments have been made for a three-year tenure or until further orders, in line with provisions under the Environment Impact Assessment Notification, 2006.
The newly constituted bodies are expected to begin reviewing pending proposals soon, providing a fresh impetus to large-scale real estate and civic projects in Chandigarh.
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