No EC for new or expansion project in Ankleshwar, Vapi

By ENN,
Ahmedabad: Concerned over exceedingly high pollution level in Gujarat's three largest industrial estates, the Centre has decided not to grant environmental clearance to any new or expansion of existing project in these estates.

Pollution levels were found high at Ankleshwar, Panoli and Vapi by the Union Ministry of Environment and Forest (MoEF).

"Union Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh recently visited Ankleshwar and Panoli estates. He told that pollution level is almost double than the prescribed limit and therefore no new unit or expansion project will be given EC," a senior official in Gujarat Pollution Control Board (GPCB) told PTI.

He added that the Union Ministry has also issued a circular on this effect and asked the industry not to make application seeking EC for any project.

Moreover, the ministry has also disposed of 269 applications which were pending before it for clearance.