Sri Vijaya Puram, May 7: The Andaman and Nicobar Pollution Control Committee (ANPCC) has directed all industrial units and stakeholders in the Islands to obtain mandatory pollution control clearances before establishing or operating industrial activities, warning that failure to comply will invite strict action under environmental laws.
According to the advisory issued by the Committee, the provisions of the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 and the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 make it mandatory for industries to secure prior approvals from the State Pollution Control Board before commencing operations.
The ANPCC stated that under Section 25 of the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, no person shall establish or take steps to establish any industry, operation, process, treatment or disposal system likely to discharge sewage or trade effluent into a stream, well, sewer or land without obtaining prior consent from the State Board.
Similarly, under Section 21 of the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981, no person is permitted to establish or operate any industrial plant in an air pollution control area without prior consent of the State Board.
Officials clarified that industrial units are required to obtain Consent to Establish (CTE) before setting up any industrial activity and Consent to Operate (CTO) before commencing operations. Compliance with these requirements is mandatory under the provisions of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
The Committee observed that several industrial units in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands have either been established or are currently operating without obtaining the required consents and permissions, which amounts to violation of statutory environmental provisions.
In view of the violations noticed, ANPCC has advised all industrial entrepreneurs, business owners and stakeholders to ensure timely compliance with pollution control regulations to avoid legal consequences.
The Committee further informed that applications for obtaining Consent to Establish and Consent to Operate must be submitted online through the official portal.
Stakeholders have been directed to apply through the online system available at: ANPCC Online Consent Management Portal
Officials stated that the online system has been introduced to streamline the approval process and improve transparency and efficiency in granting environmental clearances for industrial activities.
The ANPCC emphasized that environmental safeguards and pollution control measures are essential to protect the fragile ecology of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, which are ecologically sensitive and environmentally significant regions.
Industrial units have been warned that any failure to comply with the statutory provisions relating to pollution control clearances and environmental compliance will attract strict action under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 and other applicable laws.
The Committee has urged all industries and stakeholders to proactively complete the required formalities and ensure compliance before establishing new units or continuing industrial operations in the Islands.
