New bodies to expedite environment clearance to projects

With a view to expedite the process of obtaining environment clearance for category ‘B’ type projects and activities in Assam, the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests has constituted the State Level Environment Assessment Authority (SEIAA) and State Level Expert Appraisal Committee (SEAC).

This has been done on the basis of a proposal moved by the Government of Assam with prior approval of Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi and Minister of Environment and Forests, Rakibul Hussain.

With the setting up of SEIAA and SEAC, category 'B' type of projects or activities can be dealt with by the above authority for granting Environment Clearance. Earlier the project proponents had to rush to New Delhi for getting Environment Clearance, but from now onwards, Environment Clearance for ‘B' category projects or activities can be obtained from Guwahati subject to fulfilment of terms and conditions of the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests.

The ‘B’ category projects which will be cleared by SEIAA and SEAC include: Mining up to 50 hectare area; Hydroelectric power projects up to 50MW; Thermal power plants up to 500 MW; State Highway up to 30 km of length and State Highway and National Highway widening projects up to 20 meters of width; construction projects up to 20,000 sq.m. (<1,50,000 sq.m. of built up area); Township Projects up to 50 ha (>1,50,000 sq.m. of built up area), etc.