The Chilavannur cycle track project of the Kochi Corporation has suffered a setback with the Kerala Coastal Zone Management Authority (KCZMA) dismissing the “incomplete application” seeking permission for the project under the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) norms.
Officials of the civic body approached KCZMA with an application on Wednesday, but it was rejected for want of supporting documents. They did not submit documents that a project proponent should produce while seeking CRZ clearance, KCZMA sources said.
The corporation had proposed the ₹9.3-crore project across Chilavannur lake in the division represented by Mayor Soumini Jain. The project includes a 5.5-km-long walkway and cycle track that runs across the lake at a height of 2 metres from the water level.
Any application seeking CRZ clearance for projects shall be submitted in Form 1 as mentioned in CRZ rules. A detailed plan shall also be submitted along with the application, sources said.
However, corporation officials maintained that the application had not been rejected but kept pending seeking additional information.
If the total outlay for the project is above ₹5 crore or the extent of the project is above 20,000 sq metres, an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) has to be done.
The project has also to be considered by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change for clearance. Moreover, EIA for such projects shall be carried out only by agencies empanelled by the Ministry, KCZMA sources said.
Status report
For obtaining clearance, the project proponent will also have to submit a CRZ status report. While preparing the status report, one has to superimpose the layout of the project on the Coastal Zone Management Plan of the area.
The status report thus prepared will give a clear picture of the CRZ position. It needs to be prepared by agencies approved by the Ministry, sources added.
The applicant shall also prepare a disaster management plan for the project. Clearances from the Kerala State Pollution Control Board, Kerala Water Authority, and the State Groundwater Department shall also be obtained before approaching KCZMA.
As the Kochi Corporation is the project proponent, the application has to be submitted by the Secretary of the civic body with all supporting documents, according to sources.
Corporation officials said KCZMA had sought an authorised site plan and building plan for the project, CRZ status report, and scrutiny fee.
Meanwhile, the Mayor said the application would be resubmitted in proper format with all supporting documents shortly.