NEW DELHI: The Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has issued a draft notification proposing an extension of the expiration date for environmental clearance (EC) regarding the construction of ports, harbours, and dredging operations. These projects typically require a significant amount of time for planning, funding, and construction.
The draft suggests increasing the initial validity of the EC from the current 10 years (with the possibility of a 1-year extension) to 15 years, with an option for an additional 5-year extension, totalling up to 20 years.
The Sectoral Expert Appraisal Committee reviewed the situation and concluded that the current 10-year timeframe is insufficient for projects like port construction. These projects frequently encounter unexpected delays such as land acquisition issues or legal complications, that are often outside the control of builders.
The expert committee also compared the EC validity period for these projects with other large-scale ventures such as nuclear power plants and mining, which have undergone similar rationalisations for the same reasons.
Experts emphasise that the main goal of this amendment is to enhance the “ease of doing business” and to ensure that major infrastructure projects do not come to a halt. An extended timeframe for issuing ECs will give the government the ability to address stalled projects with greater regulatory certainty.
An official noted, “This move protects critical, multi-phase maritime projects from being forced to cease construction and reapply for clearances from scratch.” The notification states,
“Based on past experiences, the Central Government has periodically rationalised the validity period of Environmental Clearances (EC), especially for projects that have long gestation periods due to various issues often beyond the control of the project proponents.”
Meanwhile, the government has invited suggestions and objections regarding the notification, providing a 60-day window for feedback.
Review panel compared EC period of N-plants
The expert committee also compared the EC validity period for these projects with other large-scale ventures like nuclear power plants and mining, which have undergone similar rationalisations. Experts say that the goal is to enhance the “ease of doing business” and to ensure that major infrastructure projects do not come to a halt.
