New Delhi, September 26: The Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has proposed a major relaxation for the cement sector by exempting standalone cement grinding units—that do not have captive power plants and rely on railways or electric vehicles for transport—from obtaining prior environmental clearance (EC).
In its draft notification, the ministry highlighted that such units, unlike integrated cement plants, do not carry out calcination and clinkerisation, processes that are energy-intensive and generate significant carbon emissions. Instead, grinding units consume less energy, release fewer pollutants, and generate minimal waste.
The draft further noted that shifting raw material and finished product transport to railways and e-vehicles would help reduce the carbon footprint. Currently, these units are required to undergo the same regulatory processes as full-scale cement plants, including Public Consultation and detailed Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) reports, leading to what the ministry termed as “disproportionate compliance obligations.”
The Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) has recommended the exemption, observing that it would encourage green logistics and better environmental governance. The draft notification has now been put out for stakeholders’ views before final approval.