Standardization of environment clearance conditions

In yet another push for easing the environmental clearance regime, the government has now standardised the conditions for infrastructure, construction projects such as airports, ports, ropeways and townships. This follows the first such standardisation order that was brought out in August last year for 25 sectors such as cement plants, dam projects and coal washeries among others. The Union Environment Ministry has brought out an office memorandum to this effect which details some of the general conditions that will apply to these sectors and certain specific conditions that mandate scientific studies during the appraisal of the project. The standard environmental clearance conditions have been prepared for expediting the process of environmental clearance without compromising environmental norms and the rigour of environment impact assessment, the office memorandum stated.