Salem Greenfield Highway

Why in news?

Supreme Court has overruled Madras High Court verdict in acquiring agricultural land for the proposed Chennai-Salem Greenfield highway.

What was the verdict of the Madras High Court?

• Earlier, the Madras High court set aside the process of acquiring virgin land for the Greenfield highway.
• It stated that protecting the environment, agriculture and rural livelihoods are more important than the economic benefits of the new highway.
• It showed a greater sensitivity to livelihood and ecological concerns.
• It also relied on U.S. judgments - which were against in letting the projects in advance to such a stage that there is irreversible commitment of resources.

What was the Supreme Court Verdict?

• It ruled that the Madras High Court was wrong in holding that environmental clearances is required even before the initial land acquisition notice.

• It will be premature to expect the authorities to obtain environmental approvals at the stage of identifying the land.
• It also said that once the land was notified for acquisition and surveyed for feasibility, all statutory clearances have to be applied.
• Land could be taken over & construction can begin only after environmental clearances are given.
• Measures has to be taken for mitigating the possible environmental damage.
• It goes on to uphold the Centre’s power to notify any stretch of land as a national highway.

How does this judgment varies from its earlier one?

• The court has previously ordered Karnataka Industrial Areas Development Board (2006) about the acquisition of lands.
• It laid a general principle that before acquiring land for development, possible adverse environmental impact should be properly comprehended & acquisition should be done in a way that does not impair environment.
• The present verdict is in variation from this principle.

• It is debatable whether clearances need to be obtained before or after the lands were notified for acquisition.
• But a holistic view needs to be taken for sustainable development rather than development-centric view.

Source: The Hindu