PANAJI: The Union ministry of environment, forest and climate change has decided that construction projects with a built-up area of up to 50,000 sqm will now be exempt from obtaining environmental clearances. 

The Union ministry has published a draft notification amending the criteria for obtaining environmental clearance and has sought objections or feedback within 60 days.

At present, construction projects or buildings with a built-up area of 20,000 sqm require environmental clearances prior to start of the project.

“The central government is streamlining permissions for buildings and construction sector while simultaneously strengthening efforts to improve environment through greater objectivity and transparency,” the draft notification said. “It is important to streamline the process to achieve housing for all by 2022 with the objective of making available affordable housing to weaker section in urban areas.”

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