GOVERNMENT OF INDIA 
Ministry of Defence
DEFENCE RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT ORGANISATION

 RAJYA SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1584
ANSWERED ON FEBRUARY 5, 2014

 QUESTION
Environmental Clearance to Aeronautical Testing Range at Chitradurga

1584. SHRI RAJEEV CHANDRASEKHAR: 

Will the Minister of DEFENCE be pleased to state:

(a)   whether it is a fact that Defence Research and Development Organisation's (DRDO) project for setting up an Aeronautical testing range at Chitradurga in Karnataka has been halted by the National Green Tribunal;

(b)   if so, the details thereof; and

(c)    what steps have been taken or proposed to be taken by Government to restore the activities of DRDO in this regard?

ANSWER
MINISTER OF DEFENCE
(SHRI A.K. ANTONY)

 (a) Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) is setting up an Aeronautical Test Range at Chitradurga, Karnataka which was halted by the National Green Tribunal from 21^st August 2013 to 3^rd September 2013.

(b) This was done to enable Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) to process the pending application of DRDO held with them. During the said period KSPCB processed the application of DRDO for 'Consent for Establishment (CFE)', and accorded the CFE to develop the Aeronautical Test Range at Varavu Kaval, Challakere Taluk, Chitradurga District, Karnataka.

(c) After the issue of CFE for Aeronautical Test Range on 3^rd September 2013 by KSPCB, the work at Aeronautical Test Range has commenced as per plan.