Pune Based Construction Firm Fined ₹3.11 Crore By NGT For Causing Environmental Damages
Pune: NGT Imposes ₹2.55 Crore Penalty On Builder For Violating Environmental Rules In Thergaon
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has imposed a fine of ₹3.11 crore on BramhaCorp Limited, a Pune-based construction company, for environmental damages caused by their project ‘Brahma Exuberance Elite’ at Kondhwa Khurd.
According to the NGT’s order, the construction company will have to pay ₹2.37 crore to the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) and ₹74.18 lakh to the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) within a month.
The project, which began in 2005, spans over 17,433.10 square meters and comprises five buildings, with 249 flats and a built-up area of 41,500 square meters. However, the project proponent allegedly undertook the project without obtaining prior Environmental Clearance (EC) and consent to establish from the MPCB.
The NGT’s western bench, comprising Justice Dinesh Kumar Singh and expert member Vijay Kulkarni, upheld the calculation of 6,083 days of violations and held that there was no error in the calculation of the compensation and penalty amounts.
BramhaCorp Limited has acknowledged the ruling and expressed commitment to addressing the concerns raised. However, the company claims that the issue of Environmental Clearance was not applicable to the project, and the fines imposed are subject to further appeal.
The spokesperson of the company said, “We acknowledge the recent ruling and are fully committed to addressing all concerns raised. The subject case is from the year 2019 related to a project which was completed almost 20 years back. The issue of applicability of EC was involved. The EC for that project was not applicable, but based upon some wrong interpretations, the subject case was filed before NGT. As per rules we have got the EC, and the fines applied in the subject case are subject matter of further appeal. We have complete faith in the Judiciary. Further updates will be provided as we progress in this matter.”
