Mumbai: In a major boost to Maharashtra’s real estate sector, the Supreme Court on August 5 disposed of the writ petition Vanashakti vs Union of India, originally initiated by CREDAI-MCHI, reaffirming that State Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA) and State Expert Appraisal Committee (SEAC) will remain the competent authorities for project-level environmental clearances.
Relief for 493 Projects and 70,000 Homebuyers
According to CREDAI-MCHI, the ruling brings long-awaited clarity and relief to over 493 stalled projects in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) and Pune, affecting more than 70,000 housing units, especially in the affordable and mid-income segments.
Ambiguity in Environmental Approvals Resolved
The verdict removes regulatory ambiguity that had impacted construction timelines, project approvals, and homebuyer sentiment, the apex real estate body said in a statement.
Court Strikes Down 2014 & 2016 Notification Clauses
The Supreme Court also struck down key provisions of the 2014 and 2016 environmental notifications specifically Clause 14(a) and Appendix 16 which had proposed the creation of an Environmental Cell under local authorities, leading to potential overlaps in jurisdiction.
Uniform Regulatory Framework Emphasised
In a significant move, the court rejected differential regulatory treatment for industrial sheds and educational buildings under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, and stressed the need for a uniform environmental clearance process.
CREDAI-MCHI Welcomes Verdict as ‘Monumental Relief’
Domnic Romell, President of CREDAI-MCHI, said, “This judgment is a direct result of our proactive legal intervention to protect the interests of our members and thousands of homebuyers. We initiated this petition to bring clarity to an increasingly complex environmental clearance process.”
Romell credited the victory to CREDAI’s united advocacy, senior counsels, and leadership across the organisation.
