Moef asks GMDA for EIA for games village

ROOPAK GOSWAMI

 The ministry of environment and forests has asked Guwahati Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA) to prepare an environmental impact assessment plan for the expansion project of the National Games Village at Basistha, to get a clear picture before granting environmental clearance to the project.
This was decided in the 97th meeting of the ministry’s expert appraisal committee for building or construction projects, township and area development projects, coastal regulation zone, infrastructure development and miscellaneous projects held last month in New Delhi.
The project involves development of residential and commercial buildings and a shopping complex on a plot with an area of 93,645 square metre, out of which 36,957.86 square metre will be developed as extension in the second phase.
The ministry said as the project had been found to be under the B1 category, it would require an environmental impact assessment.
After the project is completed, the total daily water requirement would be 1,217 kilolitre and the total solid waste generated every day would be 3 tonnes. The total proposed parking space will accommodate 790 cars.
It has asked for preparation of a site plan showing the project site and its surroundings with physical features and added that topographical details, such as land use, contours and drainage pattern, along with photographs of the site from all four sides, should be included in the background information.
It also called for detailed examination of the proposed site vis-à-vis impact on water supply infrastructure, stormwater drainage, sewerage and power and also impact of the disposed treated/raw wastes from the complex on the land/water bodies and the sewerage system. The executing agency will also have to carry out hydro-geological investigations and seek permission from the Central Ground Water Authority before extracting ground water for the project. The green belt and open spaces should also be spelt out in the plan.
The ministry said arrangements for hazardous waste management, involving waste collection, treatment and recycling and disposal of all effluents, emissions and refuse, including municipal solid waste, biomedical and hazardous wastes, should be stated in the plan. Water quality with reference to persistent organic pollutants should also be elaborated.
Other components sought by the ministry include a disaster management plan, a traffic management plan, describing the parking and loading/unloading areas, a traffic survey, carried out both on weekdays and weekends, and a service road for entry and exit to project site.
It has also asked for a study of the existing flora and fauna in the area and the impact of the project on them.

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