Mumbai: It is India's most ambitious township projects. But construction is frozen at the Lavasa township near Mumbai for the sixth consecutive day after the Union Environment Ministry issued a show-cause notice pointing out huge environmental violations.
NDTV visits the township to bring this exclusive report.
Spread over 12,000 acres, Lavasa claims to be India's first planned hill city with luxury hotels, resorts, colleges, schools, a helipad and even a nature trail. But Just 20 percent of the work is finished.
The main promoter - Hindustan Construction Company - is now on the offensive.
"Now we know since 2002, whatever No Objection Certificates (NOC) or so-called clearances were given to Lavasa was not according to the law. The Central clearance was necessary," said Medha Patkar, activist for the National Alliance For People's Movements.
"1,600 apartments have been sold; 18,000 workers are sitting idle for a week. What will happen to them? The environmental violations are only arches. They can be demolished," Pawar said.
Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh has has shot back at Lavasa saying, "The personal attacks on me are both unfair and unfortunate."
In fact his daughter Supriya Sule and her husband Sadanand Sule were prominent stakeholders till 2004 by which time the project had received key clearances.
NDTV visits the township to bring this exclusive report.
Spread over 12,000 acres, Lavasa claims to be India's first planned hill city with luxury hotels, resorts, colleges, schools, a helipad and even a nature trail. But Just 20 percent of the work is finished.
The main promoter - Hindustan Construction Company - is now on the offensive.
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"Now we know since 2002, whatever No Objection Certificates (NOC) or so-called clearances were given to Lavasa was not according to the law. The Central clearance was necessary," said Medha Patkar, activist for the National Alliance For People's Movements.
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"1,600 apartments have been sold; 18,000 workers are sitting idle for a week. What will happen to them? The environmental violations are only arches. They can be demolished," Pawar said.
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Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh has has shot back at Lavasa saying, "The personal attacks on me are both unfair and unfortunate."
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In fact his daughter Supriya Sule and her husband Sadanand Sule were prominent stakeholders till 2004 by which time the project had received key clearances.
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