V. Ramasubramanian, J.

All these writ petitions question the correctness of the orders passed by the Southern Regional Bench of the National Green Tribunal dated 24.2.2014.

2. We have heard Mr. T. Mohan and Mrs. U. Nirmala Rani, learned counsel appearing for the petitioners, Mr. A.L. Somayaji, learned Advocate General appearing for the State, Mr. R. Muthukumarasamy, learned Senior Counsel appearing for the State Level Environment Impact Assessment Authority (hereinafter referred to as the SEIAA), Mr. K.K. Senthilvelan, learned Assistant Solicitor General appearing for the Union of India and Mr. M. Subash Babu and Mr. V. Karuna learned counsel appearing for the parties, who seek to implead themselves in the writ petitions.

3. After intensive quarrying in the volumes and volumes of papers filed before us, the factual matrix unearthed could be summarized as follows :

(a) In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (1) and clause (v) of sub-section (2) of section 3 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, read with clause (d) of sub-rule (3) of rule 5 of the Environment (Protection) Rules, 1986, the Central Government issued The Environment Impact Assessment (hereinafter refe