Photo used for indicative purpose only. Source: Internet
Shimla, Jan 28,
The Union Government has amended the Uniform Consent Guidelines under the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 and the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, introducing a new regulatory framework that promises faster environmental clearances while tightening post-approval compliance monitoring.
The revised guidelines empower State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs), Pollution Control Committees (PCCs) and the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) to streamline approvals through a consolidated consent system, while allowing authorities to review or withdraw clearances within three months if violations are detected.
A major reform under the amended norms is the introduction of single-window, consolidated consent and authorisation. Industries can now submit one common application covering Consent to Establish (CTE), Consent to Operate (CTO) and permissions required under various waste management rules. Officials said this is expected to significantly reduce procedural delays and administrative workload for both regulators and industries.
One of the most significant changes relates to the validity of Consent to Operate. Once granted, CTO will now remain valid until cancelled, removing the requirement for periodic renewals. However, environmental compliance will be ensured through regular inspections and audits, and approvals can be reviewed or revoked within three months if violations are found. The provision aims to balance operational stability for compliant units with stronger enforcement against violators.
To expedite clearance processes, the amended guidelines allow certified environmental auditors to carry out site inspections and compliance verification alongside SPCB officials. This move is intended to free up regulatory capacity, enabling pollution control authorities to focus more closely on high-risk and non-compliant industries. Processing timelines for red-category industries have also been reduced from 120 days to 90 days.
The new framework also introduces special provisions for micro and small enterprises operating in notified industrial areas. For such units, Consent to Establish will be deemed granted on the basis of self-certification, as the environmental suitability of the land has already been assessed.
In another key shift, the guidelines replace rigid minimum-distance norms with site-specific environmental assessments, allowing authorities to impose safeguards based on local ecological sensitivity rather than uniform criteria.
The amendments assume particular significance for Himachal Pradesh, where large-scale infrastructure and industrial activity is underway. The state has seen rapid expansion of stone crushers, mining operations, cement plants, hydropower projects, sewage treatment plants (STPs), and major National Highway and railway works, several of which have faced allegations of air, water, noise and soil pollution.
With many projects located in ecologically fragile zones, near habitations and along river systems, the provision for post-clearance review within three months is expected to strengthen regulatory oversight. Experts of the said the revised framework would help address long-pending complaints related to dust emissions, river contamination and unregulated dumping, while enabling swift action against violators without disrupting compliant projects.
Overall, the amended consent regime seeks to ensure faster approvals, consistent enforcement and continuous environmental monitoring, marking a shift from paperwork-driven regulation to outcome-based oversight.
About the Author
The HimachalScape Bureau comprises seasoned journalists from Himachal Pradesh with over 25 years of experience in leading media conglomerates such as The Times of India and United News of India. Known for their in-depth regional insights, the team brings credible, research-driven, and balanced reportage on Himachal’s socio-political and developmental landscape.
