Imphal, June 14 2009: Authorities have taken up the expansion work of the Imphal Airport without obtaining mandatory environmental clearance from the Union Ministry of Environment and Forest.

This may caused hindrance in the further expansion move, a highly reliable source informed Hueiyen Lanpao.

As per the Environment Protection Act, prior to take up any developmental works, environment clearance should be obtained by the ministry concern.

Apart form this, public consultant or public hearing should also be conducted to invite comments of the residents of the surrounding areas where the project is to be taken up.

Imphal Airport is among the 35 airports of the country where Airport Authority of India is undergoing develop and modernization works targeting to complete by 2010.In the process for expansion of the Imphal Airport, authorities are trying to acquire 512 acres which would affect residential areas of Ningombam, Malom Tuliyaima, Meitram and Kondompokpi villages.

It is said that while taking up the airport expansion works and other developmental works, environmental clearance should be compulsorily obtained under the under section (7) of the Environment Protection Act 1956 .

For obtaining the clearance, authorities should held public consultant or hearing, screening, scoping and appraisal etc.

But, for the project for expansion and development of the Imphal Airport, all the said process and mandatory clearance are yet not obtained.

Assessment on the merit and demerit of the project were also not performed by the authority, the source disclosed.

With regard to the non-obtain of the mandatory environmental clearance and alleged by-passing of the other necessary process, a public litigation petition will be filed in the court of the Guwahati High Court with two persons as joint petitioners.

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