AHMEDABAD: In a move that could give the real estate sector a big push, developers will now get environment clearance for construction projects from local authorities and will not have to approach Gujarat Pollution Control Board (GPCB). This was announced by Gujarat chief minister Vijay Rupani on Saturday."You (developers) will not have to approach GPCB to get environment clearances as the local authorities such as Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC), Ahmedabad Urban Development Authority (Auda) or Vadodara Urban Development Authority (Vuda) will now accord environment clearances. The powers to provide environment approvals have been given to local bodies ," Rupani said, while addressing a large gathering of realtors at a property show in the city.The two-day property exhibition, organised by Gujarat Institute of Housing and Estate Developers (GIHED), the Ahmedabad chapter of Confederation of Real Estate Developers' Associations of India (CREDAI), was inaugurated by the Union urban development minister, M Venkaiah Naidu, along with CM Rupani.At present, environment clearance from the state environment agency is mandatory for construction projects larger than 20,000 sq m. To promote its housing for all programme, the Central government has already simplified the environment approval procedure by allowing local bodies to provide environment clearance to projects ranging from 20,000 sq m to 1,50,000 sq m."Some 60 projects fall in this category. This is a major boost to the real estate sector and it will reduce delays in getting environment clearances," said Ashish Patel, president, GIHED-CREDAI.Union urban development minister, Venkaiah Naidu, said, "Investment in housing and land is the safest. I want to tell bank officials that the safest investment is houses and land because homes are going to remain there and (hinting at fugitive businessman Vijay Mallya) cannot go to London.""Honest developers need not fear the new realty law RERA and the government will resolve issues faced by them," he added.Stating that RERA has brought transparency, CREDAI-National president Jaxay Shah said that all developers will apply for registration of ongoing projects before the deadline of July 31.

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