Overview

• The environment ministry’s September 26 draft would exempt standalone cement grinding units without captive power plants from prior environmental clearance.
• It also proposes to drop mandatory public consultation and detailed EIA for these units, citing lower pollution potential.
• The Expert Appraisal Committee endorsed the change, noting the absence of calcination and clinkerization and encouraging rail or electric-vehicle logistics.
• An MPCB official said the draft is open for objections and suggestions for 60 days before a final decision is taken.
• Ambuja Cement’s Rs 1,400 crore, 6 MMTPA Kalyan project at the former NRC site faces strong local opposition over air-quality concerns, even as the draft could ease its path.