West Bengal to relax pollution control norms for projects

KOLKATA: The West Bengal government has decided to expedite the process of environmental and pollution clearances for industrial, housing and other projects coming up in the state.

To this effect, the government is examining the possibility of relaxing some of the criteria for housing projects which make it compulsory for them to obtain the necessary clearances. “The move is in line with state government’s initiative to accelerate investment in the state.

The idea is to change the image of West Bengal Pollution Control Board (WBPCB) as an investor-friendly regulator,” said state environment minister Mohanta Chatterjee. Mr Chatterjee said the state government will ensure that the process of obtaining necessary clearances from WBPCB do not act as a stumbling block for investment.

“Several initiatives have been undertaken, including further decentralisation of WBPCB’s activities and opening more number of district level offices,” Mr Chatterjee said. Talking at the same venue, WBPCB chairman Sudip Banerjee said that the regulator is examining the possibilities of relaxing the criteria for housing projects to undergo pollution and environment clearances.

Under the present norms, any residential project with more than 100 flats and 50,000 litres of sewerage require to have a compulsory clearance.

WBPCB is also going to increase its vigil on projects that have already received the necessary clearances to ensure that pollution and environmental norms are not flouted. “This decision has been taken after we saw a substantial rise in the number of public interest litigation on such projects in the state,” said Mr Banerjee.

Mr Banerjee said WBPCB has the power to revoke ‘its consent to establish’ clearance, if it is later found that the project is flouting the norms specified by the government.