SC Saves ₹20,000 Crore Worth of Projects from Demolition, AIIMS and Airport among them

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In a major relief to the Indian government, the Supreme Court has recalled its May 16 verdict that had threatened to demolish various public infrastructure projects worth ₹20,000 crore. The projects, including a 962-bed AIIMS hospital in Odisha and a greenfield airport in Karnataka, were at risk of being demolished due to the lack of environmental clearances. The Supreme Court's decision to recall its verdict was made in response to the Centre's plea to review the impact of the original judgment on various public projects. The court's majority verdict highlighted the devastating effects of the original judgment, citing three specific instances where projects of national importance were at risk. One such project was the AIIMS hospital in Odisha, which had been constructed without prior environmental clearance. The hospital, with a capacity of 962 beds, was set to be demolished if the original verdict was not recalled. Similarly, a newly-built greenfield airport in Karnataka was also facing demolition due to the lack of environmental clearance. The court also pointed out that several Common Effluent Treatment Plants (CETPs) were at risk of being demolished, which would have had severe environmental consequences. The CETPs are essential for treating industrial and sewage water to prevent pollution of rivers and streams. With the recall of the original verdict, these projects now have a chance to be regularized under the 2017 notification and 2021 office memorandum, pending a final decision on their validity by the Supreme Court. The decision is a major relief to the Indian government, which had been facing the prospect of demolishing projects worth ₹20,000 crore.