Nagpur: In a significant breakthrough for the long-pending University Square-Manas Square tunnel project at Zero Mile, the Defence Department has officially granted its No Objection Certificate (NOC), removing one of the biggest roadblocks in the approval process.
The ambitious underpass project requires a total of 13 clearances from various agencies. With the Defence Ministry’s approval now in place, officials say the project has gained strong momentum.
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Mahametro informed the Nagpur Bench of the Bombay High Court on Wednesday through a detailed affidavit outlining the permissions obtained so far and the compliance measures completed. The matter came up for hearing before a division bench comprising Justice Anil Kilor and Justice Rajnish Vyas.
During the hearing, amicus curiae Advocate Kuldeep Mahalle sought a week’s time to file his reply. The PIL challenging the tunnel project has been under judicial scrutiny, with the court earlier directing the submission of a comprehensive checklist of required approvals in its October 16 order. Advocate Mahalle had submitted the checklist last week, as mandated.
In its affidavit, Mahametro emphasized that all formal procedures required for the commencement of the underpass have been completed and corresponding documents have been submitted to the court for review.
The Defence Department’s approval is expected to accelerate the final clearance process, paving the way for ground work to begin once all remaining permissions are secured.
