Additional Chief Secretary reviews forest diversion progress of major infrastructure projects

Bhubaneswar: The third coordination meeting to resolve forest-related issues and ensure expeditious processing of forest diversion proposals for major infrastructure projects was held under the chairmanship of Additional Chief Secretary (ACS) to Forest, Environment and Climate Change Department Satyabrata Sahu in the Conference Hall of Home Department at Lok Seva Bhawan here on Friday.

The Additional Chief Secretary reviewed the progress made as per the timelines decided in the last coordination meeting in November. In today’s review meeting, the ACS examined the progress and current status of 32 key projects of the Central and State governments and private companies having forest issues listed on the PMG/PRAGATI portals as well as in the Dedicated Taskforce of the State.

These projects include Capital Region Ring Road, Goru–Mahisani New Railway Line of South Eastern Railway, 4G-based Mobile Service Project of BSNL, Reliance Jio Infocom Limited, Exploration Proposal of the Geological Survey of India & Akharkata Mines of Kundal Goldmines Limited, Kalta Iron Ore Mines of Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL), 4 nos of Transmission Line Projects of OPTCL, Integrated Steel Plant Proposal of Kalyani Steel Ltd, Gandhalpada and Kalmang West Iron ore mines of Tata, Kedesala, Kendudihi North, Jhumka-Pathirposi, Pureibahal & Chandiposi Iron ore mines of Rungta, Sijimali Bauxite mines of Vedanta, Kuturmali and Balda Bauxite mines of Adani, Kotameta Limestone mines of Dalmia, Kusumdihi Iron ore mines of Trustline Mining, IREL mining project of Chilka division by Indian Rare Earthe Limited, Netrabandh Pahar Iron ore mines of Bhusan, Dholtapahar iron ore mines of Kasvi, 5 HL Bridge of NH division, Odisha.

The ACS expressed happiness and observed that in all projects of BSNL and RJIL for laying of OFC cable and erecting of towers, substantial progress has been achieved. Similar progress has been achieved in case of OPTCL transmission line, GSI exploration projects, three projects of NHAI, i.e. CRRR-I and CRRR-II & Cuttack-Kandarpur Road project during last one month.

It was further observed that PCCF (WL) has sort out the wildlife related issues in the projects expeditiously by holding the SBWL meeting recently. The Director, Mines & Geology informed that most of the mining projects are processed timely by the State Government and are mostly pending for approval at MoEF & CC like, Kotameta Limestone mines of Dalmia, Sijimali Bauxite mines of Vedanta, Kedesala, Kendudihi North Iron ore mines of Rungta, Gandhalpada Iron ore mines of Tata, Dholtapahar iron ore mines of Kasvi etc.

The nodal officers were instructed to monitor, facilitate, and ensure compliance at all stages to avoid unnecessary delays. The user agencies were advised to submit all required documents, maps, and enclosures to the concerned DFOs without delay to minimize processing time. The Additional Chief Secretary further emphasized strict adherence to the timelines set for the processing of forest diversion proposals and urged all concerned departments and agencies to work in close coordination to achieve timely project implementation.

Among others, Additional PCCF (Nodal) Dr. K. Murugesan, Officer on Special Duty and Special Secretary, FE&CC Department Lingaraj Otta, OPTCL officials, CCF (Nodal) A.K. Kar, DDG, GSI, Chief Engineer, CE NH Division, Shri Virendra Singh. RO, NHAI, all Regional Chief Conservators of Forests and Divisional Forest Officers and senior officers of the User Agencies participated.