Yamuna E-way draws Apex court’s ire

The Uttar Pradesh government's ambitious Yamuna Expressway project appears to be heading for a roadblock. The Supreme Court on Friday questioned the environmental clearance given to the project by the authorities. HT reports

The Uttar Pradesh government's ambitious Yamuna Expressway project appears to be heading for a roadblock. The Supreme Court on Friday questioned the environmental clearance given to the project by the authorities.

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A bench headed by Justice D K Jain said there was a direction by this court that all the ventures in Taj Trapezium Zone (TTZ) have to be cleared by it.

The special bench made it clear that prior permission was required for starting the project and expressed its displeasure that the venture was allowed, ignoring its directions.

The court asked the UP government counsel, “Which authority has permitted you? Even before touching the TTZ area, you have to seek permission of this court.”

The court's observations came while it was hearing the state application seeking permission to fell 4,022 trees in the TTZ area.

The bench directed the Yamuna Expressway Authority and the project contractor Jaypee Infratech Limited to present documents of environment clearances obtained from various authorities.

It said since no court permission was obtained, the authority and the contractor would have to file an application in this regard. The next hearing is after two weeks.