New Delhi, September 17
PIL petitioners today pleaded with the Delhi High Court to quash the environmental clearance given to the proposed Tata Camelot’s high-rise project in Mohali district, contending a state-level committee had approved it hastily without collecting and analysing necessary data.

Arguing before a Bench comprising Chief Justice G Rohini and Justice RS Endlaw, senior advocate PS Patwalia said the clearance letter did not talk of any environment impact assessment on the basis of which the State Environmental Impact Assessment Authorities, Punjab, had given the green signal on September 17, 2013.

Further, the state-level body did not have the power to assess the environmental impact of any project of this magnitude located near the Sukhna Lake, the Shivalik hills and the wildlife sanctuary. This could be done only by the Union Environment and Forests Ministry, he pleaded on behalf the petitioner, Sarin Memorial Legal Aid Foundation. Citing judgments of various HCs and the SC, Patwalia said such clearances could be given only after conducting detailed environmental studies on water and air pollution, natural resources, flora and fauna.