“We have environmental clearances for the project and will submit it to tribunal once it reopens” said state tourism minister Goutam Deb. Wikimedia CommonsThe National Green Tribunal has directed the Bengal government to stop constructing “until further orders” a helipad at Gajoldoba, close to the Teesta barrage near Siliguri, as part of a mega tourism project. State tourism minister Goutam Deb said on Friday he was aware of the directive but insisted the government had the necessary clearances that would be placed before the tribunal after vacation. “We have environmental clearances for the project and will submit it to tribunal once it reopens” said Deb. Another eight-and-a-half acres has been identified for setting up the helipad, a cold storage and facilities for solid-waste management.

Source: The Telegraph October 11, 2019 21:00 UTC