[Readers' Q&A]: What are the SITING GUIDELINES for Industries in India?

Query received from Ms. Sneha Mahapatra through our 'facebook' page:

Dear bricksnmortar,
Please let me urgently where I can find information about 'Guidelines for locating Industries in India'. Someone told me there is some government website where such information is available, but I am not able to find it. Please help.
Thanks,
Sneha mahapatra

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Dear Ms. Sneha,
There are well set guidelines for locating (siting) the plants for setting up industries in India. The Ministry of Environment and Forests of India is primarily responsible for drafting these guidelines.
 
These guidelines are reproduced herein below for your ready reference, which primarily states that...

Siting Guidelines for Industries in India

• Industrial development significantly contributes towards economic growth. However, industrial progress brings along withit a host of environmental problems. Many of these problems could be avoided if industries are located on the basis of environmental considerations, injudicious siting of industry can seriously effect the environmental features such as air, water, land, flora, fauna, human settlements and health of people. The entrepreneur should be fully aware of these implications and he should take necessary steps while setting up the industry so as to minimize the possible adverse effects on the environmental resources and quality of life. Often, an entrepreneur finds it very costly to install pollution control equipment and other mitigative measures after the industry is already set up. As such,preventive steps are needed at the time of siting rather than going in for curative measures at a later stage
  
• The Industrial Policy Statement of July 1980,recognized the need for preserving ecological balance and improving living conditions in the urban centers of the country.On the basis of this Policy, indiscriminate expansion of the existing industries and setting up of new industrial undertakings within the limits of metropolitan cities and the larger towns should not be permitted.However,the Policy has not touched upon the implications of setting up an industry in sensitive areas,both ecological or otherwise,which would have an effect on the overall development process
  
• At present, industries are being located on the basis of raw material availability,access to the market,transport facilities and such other techno-economic considerations without adequate attention to environmental considerations are recognized as an important criterion for setting of industry.
  
• To prevent,air,water and soil pollution arising out of industrial projects,the industrial Licensing procedure requires that the entrepreneurs before setting up the industry obtain clearance from Central/State Air and Water Pollution Control Boards.The Central State Pollution Control Boards stipulate that air(gases) and water(effluents) emanating from the industry should adhere to certain quality standards.However,these stipulations do not prevent the industry from effecting the total environment by wrong siting.Also,the cumulative effect of a number of industries at a particular place is not being studied upon,with the result that an industry or an industrial area over a period of time could cause significant damage to the surrounding environment and ecological features.
  
• In respect of certain industrial development projects it is not only necessary to install suitable pollution control equipment but also to identify appropriate ITES for their location.To give a concrete shape to this requirement,a select group of 20 industries has been notified by the Department of Industrial Development.A formalized procedure has been stipulated for site selection from environment angle with regard to these projects
  
• According to this procedure for the select group of industries,the the letters of intent should be converted to industrial licenses only after the following conditions have been fulfilled:
  • The State Director of Industries confirms that the site of the project has been approved from environmental angle by the competent State Authority.
  • The entrepreneur commits both to the State Government and Central Government that he will install the appropriate equipment and implement the prescribed measures for the prevention and control of pollution.
  • The concerned State Pollution Control Board has certified that the proposal meets with the environmental requirements and that the equipment installed or proposed to be installed are adequate and appropriate to the requirement. 
• The State Department of Environment will be the competent authority for approval of project sites from environmental angle.In those States where such Departments have not yet been set up,approval should be obtained from the nodal agency designated for looking after environmental matters.With regard to projects where support from the Central Government/International Agencies is envisaged and which come under the purview of Industrial Licensing,approval of the project site from environmental angle should be obtained from the Ministry of Environment and Forests,Government of India.The entrepreneur should provide the details of proposed project site,pollution abatement measures and such other relevant information as required for review from environmental angle
  
• The entrepreneur will bee required to submit half-yearly progress report on installation of pollution control devices to the respective State Pollution Control Boards
  
• Depending on the nature and location of the project,the entrepreneur will be required to submit comprehensive Environmental Impact Assessment Report,and Environment Management Plans.

Hope you found answer to your query. Please visit the official website of Ministry of Environment and Forests to go through the entire set of guidelines and procedures. And if you are in process of setting up an industry, big/ medium/ small scale whatever, we wish you great success and growth in your endeavors.

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