Full Text
REGD. No. D. L.-33004/99
The Gazette of India
CG-DL-E-01102025-266576
EXTRAORDINARY
PART II-Section 3-Sub-section (ii)
PUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY
No. 4291]
NEW DELHI, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2025/ASVINA 4, 1947
6467 GI/2025
*****
MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
NOTIFICATION
New Delhi, the 26th September, 2025
S.O. 4411(E).—WHEREAS, the Central Government proposes to issue following draft notification in exercise
of the powers conferred by sub-section (1) and clause (v) of sub-section (2) of section 3 of the Environment (Protection)
Act, 1986 (29 of 1986) and accordingly, the same is hereby published, as required under sub-rule (3) of rule 5 of the
Environment (Protection) Rules, 1986, for the information of the public likely to be affected thereby; and notice is
hereby given that the said draft notification shall be taken into consideration on or after the expiry of a period of sixty
days from the date on which copies of the Gazette containing this notification are made available to the Public;
Any person interested in making any objections or suggestions on the proposal contained in the draft
notification may forward the same in writing for consideration of the Central Government within the period so specified
to the Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Indira Paryavaran Bhawan, Jor Bagh Road,
Aliganj, New Delhi-110 003, or send it at the e-mail address: diriapolicy-moefcc@gov.in.
Draft Notification
S.O. (E). - WHEREAS, the Central Government in the erstwhile Ministry of Environment and Forests,
in exercise of its powers under sub-section (1) and clause (v) of sub-section (2) of section (3) of the Environment
(Protection) Act, 1986 has published the Environment Impact Assessment Notification, 2006 (hereinafter referred to as
the said notification), vide number S.O.1533 (E), dated the 14th September, 2006 for mandating prior environmental
clearance (EC) for certain category of projects covered in the schedule of the notification;
AND WHEREAS, standalone cement grinding units are classified as Category 'B' projects and are further sub-
categorized into category B1 and B2 based on the mode of transportation. Units where more than 90% of the total
transportation of raw materials and finished products (inward and outward combined) is carried out through railways,
are categorized as B2.
AND WHEREAS, these projects are still required to undergo the appraisal process for the grant of EC, in spite
of the fact that such projects do not require Public Consultation and detailed EIA report. Furthermore, despite having a
lower pollution potential compared to integrated cement plants, standalone grinding units are subjected to similar
regulatory and monitoring regime, resulting in disproportionate compliance obligations.
AND WHEREAS, the Standalone Grinding units (without captive power plant) which do not undertake
calcination and clinkerization have lower carbon emissions, waste generation (as compared to cement plant) and energy
consumption (due to absence of high temperature processes). In addition, transportation of raw materials and finished
products via Railways and/or E-Vehicles or a combination of both further reduces the pollution potential.
AND WHEREAS, the matter was examined by the concerned Expert Appraisal Committee. After due
deliberation, the Expert Appraisal Committee recommended that 'Standalone Cement Grinding Units without Captive
Power Plant and with complete transportation of raw materials and finished products via Railways and/or E-Vehicles
or a combination of both' can be considered for exemption from the requirement of prior Environmental Clearance. The
committee observed that the exemption will encourage green logistics and environmental governance.
AND WHEREAS, the recommendations of Expert Appraisal Committee were referred to the Expert Advisory
Committee for examination. After due deliberation the Expert Advisory Committee agreed with the recommendation of
the concerned Expert Appraisal Committee subject to implementation of stringent environmental safeguards, especially
for transportation of the raw materials or finished products through E-Vehicles.
AND WHEREAS, based on the recommendations of the Expert Appraisal Committee and the Expert Advisory
Committee, the Central Government is of the view that such Standalone Cement Grinding units with transportation of
raw materials and finished products exclusively through Railways and/or E-Vehicles, can be exempted from the
requirement of prior EC subject to implementation of environmental safeguards.
NOW, THEREFORE, in exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (1) and clause (v) of sub-section (2)
of section 3 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 (29 of 1986), read with sub-rule (3) of rule 5 of the Environment
(Protection) Rules, 1986, the Central Government hereby makes the following further amendments in the notification
of the Government of India in the erstwhile Ministry of Environment and Forests, number S.O.1533(E), dated the
14th September, 2006, namely:-
In the said notification,-
In the Schedule, against item 3(b), in column (5), after the existing paragraphs the following shall be inserted, namely:-
“3. Standalone Cement Grinding Units without Captive Power Plant and with complete transportation of raw materials
and finished products via Railways and/or E-Vehicles, are exempted”
[F. No. IA3-22/16/2025-IA.III]
RAJAT AGARWAL, Jt. Secy.
Note: The principal notification was published in the Gazette of India, Extraordinary Part-II, Section 3, Sub-section (ii)
vide, number S.O. 1533(E), dated the 14th September, 2006 and last amended vide the notification number S.O.
1223(E), dated the 17th March, 2025.
Uploaded by Dte. of Printing at Government of India Press, Ring Road, Mayapuri, New Delhi-110064
and Published by the Controller of Publications, Delhi-110054.
GORAKHA NATH
YADAVA
Digitally signed by GORAKHA
NATH YADAVA
Date: 2025.10.01 11:35:43 +05'30'