Bhubaneswar: In a bid to streamline the approval process for critical infrastructure projects, the state government held its third monthly coordination meeting on the expeditious processing of forest diversion proposals recently. The meeting chaired by the Additional Chief Secretary of Forest, Environment, and Climate Change department Satyabrata Sahu reviewed the progress of major projects requiring forest clearance, such as roadways, railways, telecom infrastructure, and steel plants.
The meeting focused on expediting the processing of forest diversion proposals for key projects under National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), Indian Railways, OPTCL, GSI, and companies like Reliance Jio Infocom Limited (RJIL), BSNL, and SAIL. During the meeting, Sahu reviewed updates on several high-profile projects, including the Capital Region Ring Road Project, Gorumahisani New Railway Line by South Eastern Railway, and the 4G-based Mobile Service Project of Reliance Jio. According to the ACS, substantial progress has been made, particularly in the areas of optical fiber cable (OFC) laying and mobile tower installations by Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL) and RJIL.
Additionally, Odisha Power Transmission Corporation Ltd’s transmission line projects and Geological Survey of India’s exploration proposals have also shown positive movement. The ACS also praised the progress made in the Capital Region Ring Road (CRRR-I and CRRR-II) projects, which were among the focal points of review. However, the ACS instructed the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) to address wildlife-related issues without delay to avoid further hindrances. The primary objective of the meeting was to accelerate the approval process for forest diversion proposals, which are crucial for the timely implementation of major infrastructure projects.
The ACS directed all Regional Chief Conservators of Forests (RCCFs) and Divisional Forest Officers (DFOs) to prioritise the processing of these proposals and clear any pending issues at the local levels. The meeting also included a stern reminder to the user agencies, urging them to submit all required documents— including maps, survey reports, and environmental impact assessments—without delay. The ACS urged the Forest Department to collaborate more closely with industries that have signed MoUs with the government. The department was asked to facilitate forest diversion proposals from industries such as Kalyani Steels Ltd.
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