Green clearance validity for ports extended

The move, notified on Monday through an amendment to the Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) Notification, 2006, brings the validity framework for port projects closer to that for mining projects.

Under the new rules, an environmental clearance for ports, harbours, breakwaters and dredging will be valid for 20 years. It can be extended by another five years after examination by the expert appraisal committee or state-level expert appraisal committee. In deserving cases where a project remains unoperational after the first extension, a further five-year extension may be added, subject to additional environmental safeguards being incorporated in the project’s Environmental Management Plan.

The matter was initially referred to the sectoral expert appraisal committee, which recommended that the validity of environmental clearances for ports and harbours be revised to 15 years, with a possible five-year extension.