The Ministry of environment & forests has lifted the moratorium on environmental clearance in respect of projects to be located in two coal-based industrial clusters- Ib valley at Jharsuguda (Orissa) and Singrauli, located partly in Uttar Pradesh and partly in Madhya Pradesh.
Both these clusters were categorized as critically polluted clusters. The moratorium has been lifted by the ministry based on the reports received from the respective State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs) on the 'Action Plan' initiated in these critically polluted clusters and also on the recommendation of the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
The MoEF, however, has imposed conditions which requires the CPCB and the respective SPCBs to put the approved ‘Action Plans' on their respective websites.
Besides, the SPCBs will monitor the implementation of the action plans as per their schedule and ensure that there is no slippage either in terms of time frame or the activities to be completed relating to the action plan.
Moreover, the coal companies as well as the power producers in the area will set up continuous ambient air quality stations. The respective SPCBs will also monitor the pollution levels in these areas on a regular basis.
