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Over 70,000 housing units across 493 projects in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region are stalled due to a National Green Tribunal (NGT) directive requiring central environmental clearance for projects within 5 km of eco-sensitive zones. This change replaces previous state-level approvals and has caused major delays, especially in affordable and mid-income housing. Developers and homebuyers face financial stress, with construction paused in areas like Sanjay Gandhi National Park and Thane Bird Sanctuaries. A plea to allow work up to the plinth level was denied, citing NGT's August 2023 order. In Navi Mumbai, many government land projects are also stalled pending central clearance.
Real estate projects in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) face significant delays in construction. Currently, across various parts of the region, these projects are being impacted by new environmental clearance mandates from a national green tribunal, affecting project timelines and creating financial difficulties for developers and homebuyers. Advertisement
Over 70,000 housing units across 493 projects in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region have been stalled. This is due to a directive from the National Green Tribunal (NGT) in Bhopal. The NGT order requires all real estate projects located within a 5-kilometer radius of eco-sensitive zones to obtain environmental clearance from the Central government. This marks a shift from previous norms where state-level authorities handled such approvals.
The new requirement has led to widespread delays, impacting project schedules and causing financial strain for both developers and homebuyers. Affordable and mid-income housing segments are particularly affected. Real estate representatives sought relief from Municipal Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani, asking for permission to continue stalled projects up to the plinth level.
However, this request was denied as it would violate the NGT's August 2023 order. The NGT's order was a response to a petition seeking central appraisal for construction projects near protected zones, including national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, and critically polluted areas. The impact of this order is felt across various parts of the MMR, including areas surrounding the Sanjay Gandhi National Park and Thane Bird Sanctuaries.
In Navi Mumbai, specifically, many projects on government land cannot be registered with MahaRERA without these necessary central clearances. Industry figures express worry over the far-reaching ripple effects of these delays on contractors, buyers, and state government revenues, expressing hope for a swift solution. Environmental clearances are essential for sustainable development, especially in sensitive ecological areas.
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