No environmental nod needed for heliport or helipad projects: Govt

The Union environment ministry has said that no prior environmental clearance under the Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) Notification, 2006, is needed to set up heliports and helipads because these were not listed in its Schedule.

In an office memorandum dated October 27, the ministry said it had received requests from various stakeholders seeking clarification on the applicability of EIA Notification, 2006, for setting up of heliports or helipads.

“As per extant provisions, heliports or helipads are not listed in the schedule of the EIA Notification, 2006. This is issued with the approval of the competent authority.” the memorandum said.

Experts said while helipads and heliports are not explicitly mentioned under the notification, building and construction projects over 20,000 sqms still require an EC. “So if the built-up area of the helipad or heliport is above 20,000 sqm, it will still require an EC as per 8(a) of the Schedule. This is the same case with data centres currently,” said Debadityo Sinha, lead, climate and ecosystems at Vidhi Centre for Legal Policy.

In a reply in parliament on August 6, the ministry had earlier clarified how Artificial Intelligence (AI) data Centres do not require EC under the EIA Notification, 2006, specifying the only exception was the area. “However, AI Data Centres proposed as part of a “Building and Construction Project” under Item 8(a), i.e. built up area exceeding 20,000 sq. m or a “Township and Area Development Project” i.e. covering an area ≥ 50 ha and /or built up area ≥ 1,50,000 sq. m under Item 8(b) of the schedule to the EIA Notification, 2006 require prior EC,” it had said.