Chennai: The Tamil Nadu govt has halted construction of Brigade Enterprises’ Rs 2,000-crore residential housing project in Perumbakkam after finding that work had commenced without obtaining mandatory permission from the Tamil Nadu State Wetland Authority (TNSWA). The 1,250-unit project, spread across 14.7 acres in Perumbakkam, is alleged to fall within the ecologically sensitive Pallikaranai Ramsar Wetland Site.The State Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA) at a meeting held on May 8, two days before TVK assumed power, revoked the environmental clearance (EC) granted to Brigade Enterprises Ltd. The action comes after anti-corruption NGO Arappor Iyakkam last October complained that the site fell within Pallikaranai marshland’s Ramsar boundary. The NGO again submitted its complaint to chief minister C Joseph Vijay on June 14.According to minutes of the SEIAA meeting, a communication from the member-secretary of TNSWA on April 16 stated that Brigade Enterprises had failed to obtain due permission from the wetland authority before commencing work. This amounted to violation of conditions attached to the EC issued on Jan 20 for survey numbers 453, 495/2C, 496, 497 and 498 in Perumbakkam village. The authority noted that construction activity had already begun without the required permission.Brigade Group, in a statement, said revocation of the order was “legally unsustainable, factually incorrect and arbitrary in nature” and that it would explore legal remedies to appeal against the order. The company reiterated that the project site comprised private patta land classified as punjai in revenue records dating back to 1935 and had remained in continuous possession of the current landowner since 1985. Brigade said it had issued public notices both while entering into the joint development agreement and while securing the land, and that no objections were received. It further alleged that it was not given an opportunity to submit documentary evidence before the EC was revoked.“We have begun returning the booking costs to purchasers in the light of ongoing issues,” the company said.Welcoming the move, Arappor Iyakkam said cancellation of the EC was an important step towards protecting the Pallikaranai marsh. Environmental organisation Poovulagin Nanbargal welcomed the decision and urged the govt to expedite identification and notification of wetlands across the state.Arappor urged CMDA to revoke the building permission too. CMDA officials said they were reviewing the building permission granted to Brigade.
