In a major development, the Pakistan Environment Protection Agency (Pak-EPA) has approved the Capital Development Authority (CDA Environment)’s Impact Assessment (EIA) report for the Bhara Kahu bypass project.
Recently, during the last hearing, the IHC expressed displeasure with the environment agency’s “conditional approval” of the EIA.
According to IHC Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb, there is no provision in environmental laws for the “conditional approval” of any project. However, the EIA was approved by Pak-EPA.
“Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency accords its approval on EIA report under section 12 of the Pakistan Environmental Protection Act, 1997 subject to the following conditions under Regulations 13(1) of the Regulations 2000,” the approval said, which was issued by the director general of Pak-EPA.
Moreover, the approval also includes 20 conditions that must be met by the CDA, such as the formation of an Environmental Management Committee that will submit quarterly compliance reports to the EPA and the development of a plantation plan.
The IHC will resume hearing the case filed by five faculty members of Quaid-i-Azam University (QAU) against the construction of the bypass on university grounds.
The IHC had issued a stay order, preventing CDA from constructing a portion of the bypass road that runs through QAU property.
In the recent past, the CDA submitted a response to the EPA. On November 18, a public hearing was held, which was opposed by QAU faculty and students and supported by residents of Bhara Kahu and Murree.
In addition, the QAU faculty and students have asked CDA not to build a portion of the road near the university. The students have been protesting, and on Thursday, they held a protest demonstration outside the National Press Club (NPC) in opposition to the project.
The CDA, on the other hand, has stated that the project is intended for the general public because it will benefit millions of travelers.
The CDA has stated that it has already issued an offer letter to the university for 225 kanals of alternate land.