Environmental Clearance for Road Projects - Environmental Clearance Fees For Project Proponents

Environmental clearance licence for Road Projects offers several benefits for project developers, stakeholders, and the environment, including sustainable development and regulatory compliance.

• Environmental Sustainability: Environmental Clearance safeguards natural resources, biodiversity, and ecosystems by requiring acts that prevent environmental harm. It promotes sustainable practices that ensure long-term ecological balance while still encouraging economic development.
• Public Health: Environmental Clearance protects public health by lowering pollutants and environmental health threats. It also benefits neighboring people by improving general air, water, and soil quality, leading in a healthier living environment.
• Stakeholder Engagement: The Environmental Clearance license fosters openness through mandatory public discussions and lets stakeholders to express their concerns, ensuring that project developers address environmental and social issues correctly, and fostering trust and collaboration.
• Regulatory Compliance: Obtaining Environmental Clearance ensures that projects follow national and state environmental regulations and avoids penalties, legal proceedings, and project delays, resulting in a smoother project execution.
• Global Recognition: Environmental Clearance projects follow international environmental norms and sustainable development goals. This boosts global competitiveness, creates more market prospects, and demonstrates a commitment to corporate social responsibility.

Projects are classified as Category A and Category B, based on their scale and environmental sensitivity.

• Category A:
  • It is regulated by the Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) under MoEF&CC.
  • It includes large-scale projects such as thermal power plants, major mining operations, and ports.
• Category B:
  • It is supervised by SEIAA, with recommendations from the State Expert Appraisal Committee (SEAC).
  • It is further divided into:
    • B1: Requires detailed EIA reports.
    • B2: Exempted from EIA but still needs compliance with environmental norms.

Note: Projects near sensitive areas are treated as Category A, even if they fall under Category B.

To begin the Environmental Clearance process for Road Projects, project proponents are required to provide several documents to assure compliance with environmental standards. Below is a list of required documents for the Environmental Clearance procedure for Road Projects:

• Covering Letter
• Terms of Reference (ToR) or Previous EC and Certified Compliance (if applicable)
• Form 1, Form 1A, or Other Requisite Forms
• Land Ownership Documents
• Land Use Documents with Approval
• Environment Management Plan (EMP)
• Pre-Feasibility Report and Conceptual Plan
• Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Report and Compliance with ToR
• Risk Assessment Report
• Brief Project Summary
• GPS File (KML Format)
• Location Details Relative to Important Features
• Environment Consultant Details
• Details of Project Proponent with Undertaking
• Layout and Building Plan with Site Plan and Tree Mapping (Approved)
• Traffic Management Plan
• Application Copy for Wildlife Clearance (if applicable)
• Previous EC Letter (for Expansion, Modification, or Amendment)
• Ground Water Details
• Local Body Approvals

For construction projects, additional documents related to energy conservation, air quality, and waste management are necessary.