Centre exempts border roads from eco-clearance

The Centre has sought to exempt highway projects related to defence and strategic importance within 100 km of the Line of Control or the border from the requirement of environmental clearance. Such projects are sensitive in nature and in many cases need to be executed on priority keeping in view strategic, defence and security considerations.

Under the amended policy, certain stretches of the Char Dham project in Uttarakhand, several other projects in the Himalayas and the northeast which fall within 100 km of the border, or the LoC will not require the green nod. The project involves the widening of 899 km of roads in ecologically sensitive areas of Uttarakhand to improve connectivity to Kedarnath, Badrinath, Yamunothri, and Gangotri shrines.

The Environment Ministry has also exempted projects pertaining to the expansion of terminal buildings at airports (without an increase in the existing area of the airport) from seeking green nod.

It also increases the exemption threshold of biomass-based power plants which also use auxiliary fuels such as coal, lignite or petroleum products up to 15 percent and fish handling capacity of ports and harbours which exclusively handle fish.