Summary:
more-inThe India-based Neutrino Observatory (INO) project has been adhering to all regulations and allegations of violations were unsubstantiated, its director V.M. While Category A required MoEFCC clearance, Category B projects can be provided EC by the State-level Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA). Alleging that several ‘unfounded’ criticisms about water-usage for the project, radioactivity, and impact due to blasting of rocks were being raised, he said that the INO project team would intensify its outreach programmes to tackle this. The INO project was considered under Section 8 dealing with ‘Buildings and Construction projects’ and Category B since the built-up area was between 20,000 and 1.5 lakh square metre. We also did a well-attended public meeting (not hearing) in Pottipuram in 2010 to explain the project and clear misconceptions,” he said..