In order to speed up clearances of infrastructure projects at the state level, the environment ministry has eased the environmental clearance process for industry particularly at the state level. The move is likely to expedite the implementation of various infrastructure projects relating to mining of minor minerals, river sand mining, thermal power plants with less than 5MW capacity. As per the new guidelines, public hearings or environmental impact assessment would not be required for projects relating to brick earth and ordinary earth mining with lease areas between 5 and 25 hectares or for thermal power plants using coal, lignite, naphtha and gas, with generating capacity of 5 MW or less.
The environment ministry has also re-categorised projects like mineral beneficiation plants, small thermal power plants, cement plants, metallurgical industries, leather and hide processing industries. Presently, infrastructure projects that require clearances at the state level are referred to as 'category B' projects with two sub-categories such as B1 and B2. Sub-category B1 includes projects that require an environmental impact assessment and public consultation before clearance by the state authority or its counterpart in the Union Territories. On the other hand, Sub-category B2 projects would be assessed for clearance on the basis of an application and a pre-feasibility report.
The infrastructure development is the most critical prerequisite for sustaining the present growth momentum of the economy. Meanwhile in order to expedite the implementation of infra projects, the government has been taking various measures. Recently, it has set up Cabinet Committee on Investment (CCI) to accord fast track clearances to large projects. Untill now, the CCI had cleared 209 projects worth Rs 3.84 lakh crore. Meanwhile, for the 12th Five Year Plan (2012-17), the government has set the $1-trillion investment target for the infrastructure sector.
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