Kochi: The Rs 395-crore Cochin Cancer Centre (CCRC) project might get delayed by over a year with the State Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA) yet to issue clearance amid allegations that the authority is toeing the lines of private hospital lobby. “The matter (delay in giving environmental clearance) was discussed in detail and resolved at a meeting convened by the sub-committee of the SEIAA on December 4,” official sources said.
“However, the minutes of the meeting have not been handed over to the appellate authority yet. Hence, it’s unlikely the environmental clearance issue will figure at the SEIAA meet on December 20.” Sources said the project cannot be kicked off next year as planned if the clearance is not given in the next meeting of the committee in Thiruvananthapuram. “This is despite the recommendations of the authority were carried out as directed,” official sources said.
Ernakulam district collector Muhammed Y. Safirulla, who is also the special officer for CCRC project, had said earlier that a high-level meet chaired by additional chief secretary (health) Rajeev Sadanandan had decided to start construction of the new multi-storey building with 387 beds by January end. At present, only the outpatient wing of CCRC is functioning out of the pay ward of the Kalamassery Medical College. The detailed project report, prepared by INKEL, has been before the Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board for consideration for three months.
