The Centre on Wednesday amended key guidelines under the laws governing air and water pollution, allowing industrial units to continue operating on the basis of a one-time approval unless it is withdrawn for violations. “This removes the need for repeated renewals, reduces paperwork, compliance burden on industries and ensures continuity of industrial operations. “The amendments aim to ensure faster, clearer and more efficient approval processes, while maintaining environmental safeguards, supporting the State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs) and Pollution Control Committees (PCCs) in processing consent applications and conducting inspections,” it said. The guidelines, first issued last year, provide a uniform framework for granting, refusing or cancelling Consent to Establish (CTE) and CTO. The safeguards for refusal or cancellation of consent remain unchanged in cases involving non-compliance with standards, violation of consent conditions, environmental damage or operation in prohibited locations.

Source: The Telegraph January 28, 2026 14:31 UTC