Daijiworld Media Network – New Delhi

New Delhi, Jan 29: In a major push to promote industrialisation across the country, the Union Government has streamlined key regulations related to air and water pollution control, allowing industries to operate with fewer procedural hurdles and faster clearances.

The revised framework is expected to reduce delays in approvals and bring greater uniformity in consent processes across states and Union Territories. With the new changes, industries will no longer be required to undergo frequent licence renewals, helping avoid disruptions caused by delays in extending Consent to Operate (CTO).

The government has also reduced the processing time for granting consent to operate for Red Category industries — considered among the most polluting — from 120 days to 90 days.

In another significant reform, the Centre has exempted the establishment of Common Effluent Treatment Plants (CETPs) from the requirement of environmental clearance, a move aimed at speeding up the creation of essential treatment infrastructure.

The amendments have been made to the Uniform Consent Guidelines under the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981, and the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974. Under the updated guidelines, once a CTO is granted, it will remain valid until cancelled, providing industries with greater operational certainty.