The BJP accused the TMC government in West Bengal of “creating roadblocks for political purposes.”

“A project bigger than 20,000 sq m requires environment clearance (EC) as per the guidelines of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC),” WBPCB chairman Kalyan Rudra said in Kolkata on Saturday.

“AIIMS Kalyani had applied for an environmental clearance in October 2022 under violation category as it had started construction work before obtaining the EC. WBPB, as per Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change guidelines, imposed an environmental damage cost and a penalty. Combined together, the amount was around `15 crore and 20 lakh. However, AIIMS Kalyani applied for an exemption as it contended that it was a health facility and did not require an EC,” said Rudra.

“The state government did not have the authority to exempt this amount. Therefore, we had to file a case with the National Green Tribunal against this violation. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court also issued a stay on two memorandums issued by MoEFCC. Unless new orders come in this regard, we cannot issue EC to any project under violation category,” Rudra added.

AIIMS Kalyani officials said PM would inaugurate the institute along with four others across the country. Governor C V Ananda Bose and Union ministers are likely to attend the event.