New Delhi: CREDAI, in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) and the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), hosted a high-level workshop at the India Habitat Centre, New Delhi, to discuss measures to improve the ease of doing business while expediting environmental clearances for real estate projects across the country.
The workshop was attended by Shekhar Patel, President, CREDAI, G. Ram Reddy, President-Elect, CREDAI, and Rajat Agarwal, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India, along with other senior officials from the Ministry and CPCB.
Shekhar Patel, President- CREDAI said,“CREDAI sincerely appreciates the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, the Central Pollution Control Board, and Mr. Rajat Agarwal for their continued engagement and for providing a platform for constructive dialogue with the industry. We value the Ministry’s and CPCB’s efforts towards addressing the concerns of the real estate sector and improving the environmental clearance process. CREDAI and its members are not seeking any relaxation in compliance requirements or any dilution of environmental norms. We are only seeking a reduction in the timelines for obtaining Environmental Clearance (EC) approvals across the country, which will significantly contribute to improving the ease of doing business and enabling the timely execution of real estate projects.”
The workshop also provided an opportunity for the Ministry to reaffirm and clarify several facilitative provisions relevant to the real estate sector, including:
- Phase-wise CTE aligned with phase-wise development and integration with the EC process: The possibility of phase-wise Consent to Establish (CTE) was clarified for projects where the Environmental Clearance (EC) provides for phase-wise development, allowing environmental consents to be aligned with the actual development schedule. The CPCB also reiterated the policy direction to integrate CTE-related requirements within the EC application process. CREDAI emphasised the need for uniform implementation of this integrated approach across all States to eliminate duplication and reduce the number of parallel approvals
- Greater consistency in EC appraisal: The workshop highlighted the need for greater uniformity in the interpretation and appraisal of EC applications by SEACs across States, thereby reducing variations in regulatory interpretation and improving predictability for developers operating across multiple jurisdictions.
- No unnecessary EC amendment for eligible design changes: The Ministry clarified that, where changes in the conceptual plan do not result in an increase in parameters such as built-up area or pollution load, an amendment to the EC may not be required, subject to the conditions prescribed under the relevant OM.
- Continuity in Category-B Appraisal: To prevent delays arising from non-functional SEIAA/SEACs, MoEFCC has provided for a Standing Authority and Standing Committee of senior government and technical officials to ensure continuity of Category-B project appraisals until the reconstitution of the respective bodies, for a defined period.
- “Zero period” for litigation-stalled projects: The period during which projects remain stalled due to proceedings before NCLT or Courts will be treated as a “zero period” for calculating EC validity, helping avoid de novo appraisal and facilitating timely resumption of projects.
- Elimination of duplicative appraisal steps: The requirement for separate presentations before SEIAA after SEAC appraisal has been removed, streamlining the Category B approval process and reducing procedural delays.
- Other reforms supporting the building sector: The Ministry also highlighted a range of complementary reforms aimed at reducing procedural complexity and improving regulatory predictability, including rationalisation of green-belt requirements, greater clarity on transfer and amendment of ToRs/ECs, streamlined requirements for land-acquisition documents, and technology-led reforms through the PARIVESH portal. These measures, together with streamlined appraisal processes, are expected to further strengthen transparency, efficiency and ease of doing business for the sector.
The Ministry informed the attendees that a quarterly review meeting is held with the SEACs to monitor the progress of applications and review approval timelines, with the objective of ensuring timely approvals across the country.
CREDAI also acknowledged the efforts of officials from MoEFCC and CPCB in bringing down the average time taken for the Environmental Clearance (EC) process from 120 days to 57 days. Building on this progress, CREDAI urged the Ministry and CPCB to take further steps to reduce the EC approval timeline to 45 days, while ensuring full compliance with environmental regulations. A time-bound and streamlined approval process, CREDAI noted, would further strengthen the ease of doing business and facilitate the timely execution of real estate projects.
CREDAI will continue to work closely with MoEFCC, CPCB and State authorities to pursue greater regulatory clarity, consistency and time-bound environmental approvals, strengthening both environmental governance and the ease of doing business in India’s real estate sector.
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