Order of the National Green Tribunal in the matter of Subash Mohapatra Vs State of Odisha & Others dated 10/08/2021.

The matter deals with the construction of a complex having more than 4,00,000 sq. m. built up area at Bhubaneswar in Odisha by M/s Sum Hospital without the requisite statutory Environmental Clearance (EC).

A joint committee submitted its report on the matter, April 9, 2021 stated that since the total construction area has not exceeded 150,000 m2 they do not require Environmental Clearance for the entire project.

The NGT, August 10, 2021 directed the MoEF&CC to file an affidavit on the matter.

The court noted that the Bhubaneswar Development Authority had regularized the unauthorized/deviated construction made by the proponent by way of letter, November 16, 2019 for a total built-up area of 1,37,706.78 m2 for hospital and ancillary facility. The court directed the Bhubaneswar Development Authority to file an affidavit on how the illegal construction has been regularized.