Beware of conspiracies stalling developments under the pretext of protectin

Ahmedabad: Rapid development can also be achieved without compromising the environment. For this, the state governments and the central government should make efforts to move development projects forward quickly. Six thousand projects are stuck with the states due to non-approval related to the environment, while six and a half thousand projects are stuck with the states without approval from the forest sector. It is good to think how many thousands of crores of projects will be stalled due to this. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has appealed to the states not to stop these projects under the influence of ongoing conspiracies to derail development.

A national conference of environment ministers of all states across the country was organised at Ekta Nagar, Gujarat. Addressing this occasion, Prime Minister Modi warned not to allow the ongoing efforts of urban navel-gazers to succeed in preventing the country’s development. Urban Naxalites use crores of rupees from global organisations and foundations to prevent the country’s development. For this, the reasons for protecting the environment are advanced and propaganda against the projects is strong. The Prime Minister made aware of this conspiracy against the country by saying it could even affect the World Bank. For this, he gave the example of the Sardar Sarovar project.

The foundation of this project was laid by the first Prime Minister of the country Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru. But the project took decades to complete. Behind this was a conspiracy to block the project. The Prime Minister showed evidence that a poisonous propaganda campaign was launched in the country and abroad. Thus, the conspiracy to block development projects in the country is still going on and we should not fall prey to it. Because we can certainly achieve development even by maintaining the balance of the environment, the Prime Minister expressed his belief. Currently, more than six thousand projects are stalled due to non-approval of the Environment Department, while six and a half thousand projects are delayed due to non-approval of the forest sector. Without compelling reasons, states should not waste time approving these projects. We should ensure that no obstacles are created in the name of the environment between ‘Ease of Living’ and ‘Ease of Doing Business’. The Prime Minister said that the faster the environment-related approvals are given to the projects, the quicker the country’s development will be.

Meanwhile, given the example of the Pragati Maidan Tunnel in New Delhi, it was pointed out that the development projects reduce transportation time, fuel costs, and pollution. Pragati Maidan Tunnel will save more than 55 lakh litres of fuel. Also, due to this, carbon emissions will be reduced by 13 thousand tons. The Prime Minister pointed out that more than six lakh trees would have been required if carbon emissions were to be reduced to such an extent. Therefore, the Prime Minister has pointed out that development and environment are not two conflicting things, but development can be achieved by harmonising them.