The Environmental Management Authority (EMA) has assured that it will monitor closely the development which is expected to begin in Trincity on Monday by Bhagwansingh’s Hardware and Steel Industries Ltd.
According to the EMA’s corporate communications officer, Mario Singh, Bhagwansingh’s did submit an application to the EMA for a Certificate of Environmental Clearance (CEC) related to its proposed development in the Trincity area.
The proposed development includes the establishment of a commercial building on 1.12 hectares of land.
Singh said further to Bhagwansingh’s meeting specific requirements in accordance with the CEC Rules, 2001, the EMA issued a CEC to Bhagwansingh’s Hardware and Steel Industries Ltd on June 14, 2015, for it to go ahead with its plans.
“Stakeholder notification is one of the conditions of the CEC granted to Bhagwansingh’s Hardware and Steel Industries Ltd. The responsibility for stakeholder notification related to the commencement of works and all other aspects of the stakeholder notification process rests with the CEC holder. Two stakeholder meetings were conducted by the applicant,” Singh said.
He, however, noted that with respect to issues related to land use planning and the related permissions required of Bhagwansingh’s, among which typically included approvals from the Town and Country Planning Division (TCPD), the EMA’s processing/granting of a CEC is carried out independently of other required approvals.
However, he added that the EMA, through its Permit Monitoring and Complaints (PMC) Unit, actively monitors issued CECs to ensure compliance with the stipulated conditions.
“The CEC conditions are designed to ensure that any likely negative environmental impacts that may result from the activities being carried out are reduced through the implementation of mitigation measures,” he said.
On Monday, residents in the Trincity area near the proposed development site expressed concerns, including harm for the environment, traffic congestion and fears of infrastructural damages to their respective properties.
Work is expected to be completed in approximately 533 days.