Chennai, june 20:
A ₹2,000-crore residential project near Perumbakkam in Chennai has suffered a major setback after the Tamil Nadu State Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA) revoked its environmental clearance, citing non-compliance with mandatory conditions linked to wetland protection.
The project by Brigade Enterprises, which proposed around 1,400 housing units close to the ecologically sensitive Pallikaranai marshland, came under scrutiny after allegations that construction began without obtaining prior approval from the Tamil Nadu Wetland Authority. This permission was a key condition attached to the original clearance issued earlier this year.
Officials noted that the company failed to comply with the requirement to secure wetland authority approval before starting work, prompting the SEIAA to withdraw the environmental clearance under provisions of the Environment Protection Act. The decision follows earlier intervention by authorities and legal challenges that had already stalled construction activity.
Environmental groups have long opposed large-scale development in the region, warning that the marshland plays a critical role in flood control, groundwater recharge, and biodiversity conservation. Parts of the Pallikaranai ecosystem are also recognized internationally for their ecological importance.
The project has faced multiple layers of legal and regulatory hurdles, including proceedings in the Madras High Court. The developer has disputed the decision, maintaining that all necessary approvals were in place and has reportedly moved the Supreme Court, arguing that the revocation is not legally sustainable.