Justices M. Sathyanarayanan and N. Seshasayee passed the order while disposing of a batch of cases filed against the project being implemented under the Bharatmala Pariyojana programme without carrying out environmental impact assessment. They, however, said that the land acquisition proceedings for the project could go on and that status quo should be maintained only until environmental concerns were addressed.

Court insists on EIA and CRZ clearance

The Madras High Court on Wednesday directed the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to put on hold the widening of the 179.55 km NH 45A, between Villupuram and Nagapattinam, until an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) was carried out for the entire project, to be implemented at a cost of ₹6,431.71 crore, and also until the Coastal Regulatory Zone clearance was obtained for two stretches in between.

Justices M. Sathyanarayanan and N. Seshasayee passed the order while disposing of a batch of cases filed against the project being implemented under the Bharatmala Pariyojana programme without carrying out environmental impact assessment. They, however, said that the land acquisition proceedings for the project could go on and that status quo should be maintained only until environmental concerns were addressed.