Environmental Clearance for Cement Plant

1. Environmental Clearance for Cement Plant In India, setting up a cement plant requires obtaining environmental clearance from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) or the State Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA) depending on the production capacity of the plant. Proposals with a cement production capacity less than 1.0 million Tonnes/ annum comes under Category B1, which will be appraised at the state level by SEIAA whereas proposals with a

2. cement production capacity greater than 1.0 million Tonnes/ annum comes under Category A, which will be appraised at central level by MoEF&CC. Category B1 and A projects require public consultation and submission of the EIA Report. Proposals with stand-alone grinding units come under Category B1, but if 90% of the raw material and product transportation is done through rail, it shall be considered as Category B2, where an EMP (Environment Management Plan) Report shall be submitted, instead of an EIA report and public consultation is also not required. The EIA study includes a detailed analysis of the project’s potential impacts on the air, water, land, and biodiversity, as well as the measures proposed to mitigate these impacts. The public consultation process involves seeking the views and opinions of the local community, civil society groups, and other stakeholders on the proposed project. Once the EIA study is completed and the public consultation process is carried out, the proposal is presented to Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC)/ State Expert Appraisal Committee (SEAC), which then reviews and evaluates the project proposal. The MoEF&CC/ SEIAA may either grant or reject the environmental clearance based on the recommendations from Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC)/ State Expert Appraisal Committee (SEAC) and considering project’s potential impacts and proposed mitigation measures. The process typically takes between 10 months to one year to complete, and failure to obtain environmental clearance before construction and operation can lead to legal action and penalties.

3. Cement plants are known to be major sources of air pollution due to the emission of particulate matter, nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, and other pollutants. Therefore, it is essential for cement plants to install pollution control equipment such as bag filters and electrostatic precipitators to minimize their impact on the environment. They must also monitor their emissions and submit regular reports to the regulatory authorities. In recent years, the Indian government has introduced various measures to promote sustainable development and reduce the environmental impact of industrial activities, including cement manufacturing. The emission standards of PM has been reduced from 50 mg/Nm3 to 30 mg/Nm3 for cement plants. Waste heat recovery power generation has been made mandatory by the MoEF&CC for cement plants. In conclusion, obtaining environmental clearance for a cement plant in India is a mandatory and rigorous process that involves a detailed EIA study and public consultation. Cement plants must also comply with various environmental regulations and standards to minimise their impact on the environment and human health.If you require assistance with obtaining environmental clearance for a cement plant project in India, consider seeking the services of an environment clearance consultant. Pioneer Enviro is a top-rated EIA consultant in India with experience and expertise in navigating the environmental clearance process to provide you with guidance on the various requirements and regulations that need to be met.