Environment and Forest Minister, Prakash Javadekar has said that construction of roads within 100 kilometers of Line of Actual Control (LAC) will be given fastrack approval.

Addressing a press conference in New Delhi this morning, Mr. Javadekar said environmental clearance will not be compromised in executing policy based decisions regarding strategic defence projects in the country.

The Minister said, a decision on environmental and forest clearances on building defence infrastructure in areas in the 100 km-range from the LAC can be taken by the state governments concerned.

He said, a policy in this regard will be formulated very soon. The minister said the policy will be framed in a manner in which a state government can take decisions on environmental and forest clearances for defence infrastructure projects, including roads, coming in the 100-km range of the LAC.

The decision to ease the rules on green clearances was taken after senior Defence Ministry officials headed by Secretary R K Mathur met Mr. Javadekar at his office. He said the meeting considered the status of pending Defence Ministry proposals for environment or forest clearance by the Environment Ministry.