Environmental Clearance for Civil Engineering Projects - Environmental Clearance Fees For Project Proponents

Updated on January 30, 2025 06:14:33 PM

Project proponents must get Environmental Clearance (EC) for Civil Engineering Projects before beginning work on projects specified in the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Notification, 2006. The Environmental Clearance Certificate for Civil Engineering Projects ensures that all operations adhere to environmental safety requirements while encouraging sustainable growth. Before undertaking any on-site activity, including land preparation, you must obtain an Environmental Clearance for Civil Engineering Projects. Environmental clearance protects public health, maintains ecological balance, and avoids negative environmental consequences. Professional Utilities assists businesses in obtaining an Environmental Clearance license for Civil Engineering Projects in an effective and timely manner, ensuring compliance with government rules.

What is Environmental Clearance Certificate?

Environmental Clearance for Civil Engineering Projects is a government-issued certificate that allows for project development while ensuring that environmental criteria are met. The Environmental Clearance certificate for Civil Engineering Projects examines a project's environmental, social, and economic repercussions and recommends mitigation actions to reduce negative consequences.

The Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) is in charge of Environmental Clearance for Civil Engineering Projects for Category A projects, which pose severe environmental concerns and must be evaluated at the central level. At the state level, the State Environmental Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA) monitors Environmental Clearance for Civil Engineering Projects for Category B projects, which have a smaller environmental impact.

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Benefits of Environmental Clearance for Civil Engineering Projects

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

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Categories of Environmental Clearance for Civil Engineering Projects

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

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

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List of Projects Requiring Environmental Clearance Certificate for Civil Engineering Projects

An Environmental Clearance certificate for Civil Engineering Projects to operate is required by specific industrial, infrastructure, and construction projects. A list of projects requiring Environmental Clearance licence for Civil Engineering Projects is given below:

Category Project
Mining, Extraction of Natural Resources, and Power Generation
  • Mining of minerals, including coal and iron ore
  • Oil and gas exploration, development, and production
  • River valley projects
  • Thermal power plants
  • Nuclear power projects
Primary Processing
  • Coal washeries
  • Mineral beneficiation
Materials Production
  • Metallurgical industries (ferrous and non-ferrous)
  • Cement manufacturing units
Materials Processing
  • Petroleum refining industry
  • Coke oven plants
  • Asbestos milling and asbestos-based product manufacturing
  • Chlor-alkali and soda ash industries
  • Leather, skin, and hide processing industries
Construction, Area Development Projects, and Townships
  • Building and construction projects exceeding specified area thresholds
  • Townships and area development projects
Manufacturing and Fabrication
  • Chemical fertilizer production units
  • Pesticides industry and pesticide-specific intermediates
  • Petrochemical complexes and petrochemical-based processing
  • Manmade fibre manufacturing
  • Synthetic organic chemical industries
  • Distilleries and integrated paint industries
  • Pulp and paper manufacturing
  • Sugar industries
  • Induction, arc, and cupola furnaces
Service Sectors
  • Oil and gas transportation pipelines
  • Storage and handling of hazardous chemicals
  • Special Economic Zones (SEZs)
  • Industrial estates and parks
  • Biotech parks and leather complexes
Physical Infrastructure and Environmental Services
  • Airports
  • Ship-breaking yards and units
  • Ports and harbors
  • Highways and expressways
  • Aerial ropeways
  • Common Effluent Treatment Plants (CETPs)
  • Municipal Solid Waste Management Facilities (CMSWMF)
Construction, Area Development Projects, and Townships
  • Building and construction projects exceeding specified area thresholds
  • Townships and area development projects
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Documents Required for Environmental Clearance for Civil Engineering Projects

To begin the Environmental Clearance process for Civil Engineering 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 Civil Engineering Projects:

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

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Application for Environmental Clearance for Civil Engineering Projects

The Environmental Clearance process for Civil Engineering Projects includes several steps, managed by the Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) at the central level and the State Expert Appraisal Committee (SEAC) at the state level, based on the project category. Step-by-step Environmental Clearance for Civil Engineering Projects is given below:

Step 1: Application for Environmental Clearance

  • The project proponent may fill out Form 1, along with Form 1A if applicable, and submit all required documents. Projects in categories 1 to 7 must submit a Pre-Feasibility Report, while projects in category 8 must give a Conceptual Plan.

Step 2: Application Screening

  • The Appraisal Committee examines the application, which applies to Category B projects only, to determine whether the project requires an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). If an EIA is required, the project is classed as Category B1; otherwise, it is classified as Category B2, without the need for thorough environmental evaluations.

Step 3: Application Scoping

  • The proposed Terms of Reference (ToR) that outline the scope of the environmental studies, are reviewed by the Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC). A site visit may be conducted if necessary. The applicant is notified of the outcome within 60 days if the application is denied.

Step 4: Public Consultation

  • The State Pollution Control Board (SPCB) or Pollution Control Committee (PCC) organizes a public hearing and written responses for the impacted community to provide feedback during public consultation. The time frame is extended by an additional 45 days if the SPCB does not hold the hearing within that time frame. Before submitting the final documents, the applicant must address the issues brought up during this phase and make revisions to the EIA and Environmental Management Plan (EMP).

Step 5: Appraisal by the Expert Appraisal Committee

  • The application, the EIA, outcomes of the public consultation, and all submitted documents are examined by the Expert Appraisal Committee. After submission of the final Environmental Assessment Report, the committee has 60 days to make a decision.

Step 6: Grant of Environmental Clearance Certificate

  • Following the recommendations made by the EAC or SEAC, the applicant is informed of the regulating authority's decision by the State Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA) or the Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change (MoEFCC). After obtaining the recommendations, the Environmental clearance certificate is issued within 45 days.
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Fees for Environmental Clearance for Civil Engineering Projects

The fee for Environmental Clearance certificate for Civil Engineering Projects varies based on the total project cost. Tabulated below are the applicable fees and public hearing expenses:

Total Project Cost Application Fees for Environmental Clearance Public Hearing Expenses
Upto ₹50 lakh ₹10,000 Entire expenses to be borne by the project proponent
Above ₹50 lakh and upto ₹1 crore ₹20,000
Above ₹1 crore and upto ₹5 crore ₹50,000
Above ₹5 crore and upto ₹10 crore ₹1,00,000
Above ₹10 crore and upto ₹25 crore ₹2,00,000
Above ₹25 crore and upto ₹100 crore ₹4,00,000
Above ₹100 crore ₹5,00,000

Note: The professional fee for Environmental Clearance certificate for Civil Engineering Projects starts from ₹99,000 (exclusive of GST).

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Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)

Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is a critical component of the Environmental Clearance process, predicting potential impacts and proposing mitigating strategies. The Environmental Impact Assessment includes:

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Environmental Clearance for Expansion or Modernization for Civil Engineering Projects

Any expansion in project capacity, area, or technology update has to be done through a new application for Environmental Clearance licence for Civil Engineering Projects. This ensures that updated environmental standards are consistently met.

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Environmental Clearance Validity for Civil Engineering Projects

An Environmental Clearance for Civil Engineering Projects has a validity period of 5 to 30 years, depending on the kind of project. Construction projects have a limited validity term, but huge infrastructure and mining projects may have a longer one. The validity periods for an Environmental Clearance certificate for Civil Engineering Projects are:

It is important for project proponents to comply with the terms of the Environmental Clearance for Civil Engineering Projects during its validity period in order to maintain compliance with environmental regulations.

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Environmental Clearance Renewal for Civil Engineering Projects

To extend the validity period, submit a renewal application for Environmental Clearance (EC) for Civil Engineering Projects before it expires. The application must contain updated project details, compliance reports, and, if necessary, public hearing records. Before granting an extension for Environmental Clearance for Civil Engineering Projects, authorities will assess these requests to ensure that they meet environmental criteria. Missing renewal dates might result in project delays and legal consequences.

For construction projects, the project proponent must submit a revised application containing Form 1 and an extra Form 1A. After consulting with the Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC), the regulatory body may prolong the validity of the environmental clearance. However, this consultation is operational and subject to the authority's discretion.

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Conclusion

Environmental clearance for Civil Engineering Projects is required to guarantee that project developments meet environmental safety requirements and encourage sustainable growth. Environmental clearance certificate for Civil Engineering Projects protects public health, maintains ecological balance, and reduces negative environmental impacts. The procedure to get a Environmental clearance license for Civil Engineering Projects includes a thorough evaluation, public consultation, and regulatory compliance. Category A and B projects require clearance at the central or state levels, respectively. Project proponents must produce sufficient documents, pay fees, and adhere to the clearance's validity term. Renewal applications for Environmental clearance for Civil Engineering Projects are required to avoid project delays and legal penalties.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is an Environmental Clearance Certificate for Civil Engineering Projects?

Environmental Clearance for Civil Engineering Projects is a government-issued license that ensures project development complies with environmental standards while protecting public health, biodiversity, and sustainable development.

Why is Environmental Clearance Important?

Environmental Clearance for Civil Engineering Projects reduces environmental harm, assures regulatory compliance, safeguards public health, and promotes long-term project development.

What types of projects require environmental clearance for Civil Engineering Projects?

Projects connected to mining, electricity generation, material manufacturing, chemical industries, infrastructure development (such as highways and airports), and significant building projects require an Environmental Clearance Certificate for Civil Engineering Projects.

How can I renew an Environmental Clearance Certificate?

Before the Environmental Clearance license for Civil Engineering Projects expires, submit a renewal application that includes updated project information, compliance reports, and appropriate public hearing records.

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