Mumbai, India – August 6, 2025 – In a landmark ruling, the Supreme Court of India has struck down Clause 14(a) and Appendix 16—two government notifications that had disrupted the environmental clearance process in Maharashtra—paving the way for the revival of 493 stalled housing projects in Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) and Pune.
The ruling comes as a major relief for more than 70,000 homebuyers who have been waiting years for project completions due to regulatory ambiguity over environmental approvals.
Delivered in the Vanashakti vs Union of India case, the apex court bench comprising Chief Justice B.R. Gavai and Justice K. Vinod Chandran held that the two provisions were inconsistent with the established process under the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Notification, 2006. These notifications had proposed the creation of municipal Environmental Cells for granting approvals—effectively bypassing the State Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA) and the State Expert Appraisal Committee (SEAC).
“The Court’s decision restores the role of SEIAA-SEAC as the competent authorities for environmental clearances at the state level, removing jurisdictional confusion and regulatory delays,” said a senior official familiar with the matter.
The ruling ensures that all housing and infrastructure projects requiring environmental clearance must continue to follow the standard SEIAA-SEAC procedure, as per EIA 2006 norms. By invalidating Clause 14(a) and Appendix 16, the Supreme Court has provided long-overdue legal clarity and paved the way for smoother environmental governance.
Key Highlights:
- 493 stalled projects in Maharashtra cleared to proceed
- SEIAA-SEAC reaffirmed as sole authorities for environmental approval
- Clause 14(a) and Appendix 16 declared invalid and ultra vires
- Relief for over 70,000 homebuyers in MMR and Pune
- Boost for real estate sector and affordable housing pipeline
This judgment is expected to reignite momentum in Maharashtra’s real estate market by unlocking delayed inventory, restoring buyer confidence, and ensuring that environmental safeguards remain robust under the proper legal framework.