NEW DELHI: Union Minister of State for Environment and Forests Ashwini Kumar Choubey said in the Lok Sabha that no directions have been received for an environmental clearance for the K-Rail project and that railway projects, including the Metro, do not require environmental clearance.

"Environmental impact assessment is mandatory for all mega projects in the public and private sectors and for central and state government projects. Although this applies to 39 activities under the Environmental Impact Act 2006, it does not include railway projects. The ministry had given an explanation when it received the complaint regarding K-Rail," the minister said.

"Kerala Rail Development Corporation Limited (KRDCL) has conducted an EIA before submitting the detailed project document. The Ministry also assesses whether all the conditions for environmental clearance are being complied with. The ministry is taking a strict stance in this regard," he added.

CPM MP Elamaram Kareem lashed out at the Congress MPs by stating that they did not get the expected response regarding the environmental clearance of the SilverLine project. He said that the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests was supporting the project in every possible way.