taj vivanta hits moef hurdle

Parking-space hitch in Guwahati Taj project - Clearance on hold, environment ministry asks for sludge disposal details too

ROOPAK GOSWAMI

Guwahati, Aug. 10: The Union ministry of environment and forests has kept the environment clearance on hold for the construction of five-star Vivanta by Taj in the city for want of more information. The foundation stone of the five-star hotel was laid on March 9 in the presence of Ratan Tata and Tarun Gogoi with pomp and grandeur. Sources said the project came up for discussion at the meeting of the expert appraisal committee for building construction, coastal regulation zone, infrastructure development and miscellaneous projects under the ministry of environment and forests held in the last week of July in New Delhi. The committee after going through the details provided by the project proponent, The Indian Hotels Company Limited, said the proposed parking space is inadequate. The company said the total parking space proposed is for 262 ECS (equivalent car space). The committee has asked them to re-examine and submit the details based on the number of rooms, seating capacity of the restaurant and banquet halls. Getting parking space has become a major problem in the city and with new infrastructure projects coming up it has become all the more difficult, which is turning into a nightmare for residents. The committee said provision should also be made for parking of buses, taxis and staff cars. The ministry has asked the company to submit the details of land features of the site and immediate adjacent area with slopes and drainage pattern. Not only that, it has also called for submission of details of sludge generation and its disposal. The ministry said provided the response of the project proponent to the aforesaid observations is satisfactory to the committee, the proposal may be considered for recommendation of clearance. The ministry has imposed a number of conditions for compliance, which will be monitored. The project involves construction of the hotel on an area of 20,146.57 square metre. The total built-up area is 33,112.46 square metre and the total water requirement is 243 kilolitre per day. While the total waste water generation is 118 kilolitre per day, the capacity of sewage treatment plant proposed is 180 kilolitre per day. The total solid waste generation will be 1,200kg per day. The hotel will comprise 150 rooms, including suites, and will be built with a design theme inspired by local architecture. It will have an all-day dining restaurant, a speciality restaurant and a bar. An expansive spa and fitness centre will also add to its charm. The environmental clearance process is required for 39 types of projects and covers varied aspects from screening to evaluation. The main purpose is to assess the impact of the planned project on the environment and people and to try to abate/minimise the same. Sources said the ministry of environment and forests has constituted a committee yesterday to examine the issues relating to the monitoring of compliance of environment clearance conditions. The ministry has delved deep into the existing regulatory regime, the current system of monitoring, its limitations and the proposed new approach to monitoring. The new proposed approach envisages involvement of specialised agencies/institutions in the monitoring of compliance of environment clearance conditions depending on their respective areas of specialisation.