The government will take up a major road-building project to counter security threats both along the China border as well as in Maoist-affected areas within the country.

It has also relaxed environment norms to a great extent to facilitate this. Under the changed rules, infrastructure projects in these areas will not have to adhere to strict environment protection conditions.

Briefing media , Environment and Forest Minister Prakash Javadekar said that border roads and all defence infrastructures within 100 kms of Line of Actual Control have been brought under general approval scheme.

He said, forest clearances for roads in Left Wing Extremism affected areas have also been brought under the same.

The Minister said State Level Environment Impact Assessment Authorities have been empowered to grant environment clearances.

He said the process of granting permission for forest diversion up to 40 hectares for developmental projects has also been decentralized.

He said process of granting permission for forest diversion for all linear projects like road, rail, canals, transmission and pipelines has also been decentralized.

The environment Ministry’s decision will translate into the development of 6,000 km of roads within 100 km of the strategically important China border.