MOEF issues notice to Chirayu hospital in MP

Bhopal: The Enviroment Ministry has rapped the Madhya Pradesh Government for not taking clearance before the construction of a Medical College by the Chirayu Foundation near the Bhoj lake in Bhopal. The lake is the main source of water and is considered a lifeline of Bhopal.

The State Expert Appraisal Committee in its inspection of the site on February 23, 2010, acknowledged that, "construction of the project started without environment clearance and that the boundary wall, with a number of four storied buildings, has already been constructed on the site."

Recognising these violations, the Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh has asked the Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh to take action against the project proponents.

The Chirayu Medical College and Hospital, however, insist that they followed the law.

The Chirayu Medical College and Hospital, however, insist that they followed the law.

"Permission were sought from State expert Appraisal Committee, All environment clearance conditions are completely complied with, and the same is being monitored by Madhya Pradesh Pollution Control Board," a Chirayu foundation official told CNN-IBN.

The issues raised by the Union Environment Minister in his letter to the Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister has also been raised through a Public interest Litigation (PIL) filed before the Madhya Pradesh High Court.

The question is that how will this project impact the ecology of the lake and the city?

The medical college is within 5 km of the Van Vihar National Park that has more than 200 species of birds, the Lake in fact is recognsied as a wetland of international importance, crucial for recharging groundwater.

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