Jaipur: Rajasthan’s pollution watchdog cleared a large hospital and medical college project being developed by Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS)-backed Bharat Vikas Parishad Seva Sansthan in Kota without prior environmental clearance, even though its own inspection report recorded that construction above the threshold should trigger mandatory environmental impact assessment (EIA).The RSS-backed NGO’s Kota hospital project is spread over 1,07,577 sq metres of land at Anantpura Foota Talab, allotted by Urban Improvement Trust, Kota.A Rajasthan State Pollution Control Board inspection report dated May 12, 2026, accessed by TOI, recorded construction of more than 20,000 sq metres at the site. Under the Environment Impact Assessment Notification, 2006, projects above this threshold require prior environmental clearance from State Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA).The EIA notification is a legal framework under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, that makes prior environmental clearance mandatory for specific development projects.On July 15, 2026, RSPCB’s Kota regional office issued consent to operate after treating the project’s constructed area as 18,783.31 sq metres — below the 20K threshold that would have triggered environmental clearance scrutiny by SEIAA.Documents reviewed by TOI show the 18,783.31-sq-metre figure was based on an assessment carried out by an architect hired by the hospital. No revised inspection was conducted by RSPCB after the May 12 inspection.The May 12 report records two separate blocks for the hospital and medical college, both rising five to six floors, along with a service block at the rear. It states that the total construction area was more than 20,000 sq metres.A senior official source said the area figure was decisive. “The difference in the construction area is crucial. Projects with a built-up area of more than 20,000 sq metres fall under the EIA Notification, 2006, and are categorised as Category B projects, requiring environmental clearance from the SEIAA,” the official said.Officials familiar with the records said construction area and built-up area were treated as the same for the purpose of assessment in this case.The consent to operate was issued under order number 20252026/Kota/Consent/206612. Records show that the officer heading the Kota regional office had been transferred from Jhalawar to Kota on July 10 and is understood to have assumed charge around July 13 or 14. The consent was issued on July 15.Environmental campaigner Tapeshwar Singh Bhati questioned the basis on which the lower area figure was accepted. “The May 12 inspection report had already recorded construction exceeding the 20,000-sq-metre threshold. The subsequent assessment of the project at 18,783.31 sq metres while processing the consent raises questions over the basis on which the revised construction area was considered,” Bhati said.Chief patron and founder chairperson of Bharat Vikas Parishad Hospital and Research Centre and BVIMS, Kota, Shyam Lal Sharma said the hospital followed all applicable norms and rules.TOI tried several times to contact RSPCB member secretary Kapil Chandrawal for a statement, but received no response.
