Question : Moratorium on Industrial Clusters

(a) whether moratorium based on the scale of Comprehensive Environment Pollution Index (CEPI) was imposed in the year 2010 on seven industrial clusters of Gujarat including clusters of Vapi, Ankeshwar and Vatva;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the State Government of Gujarat has put forward the case for lifting the moratorium from Ankeshwar, Vapi and Vatva industrial clusters as the level of pollution in these areas has gone down by 70%, 75% and 50% respectively and if so, the reaction of the Government thereto; and
(d) whether the Ministry has carried out inspection of the said areas on 18th and 19th January, 2016 and if so, the time by which moratorium is likely to be lifted from these areas?

MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
(SHRI ANIL MADHAV DAVE)

(a)&(b) Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) had carried out a comprehensive environmental assessment in 88 prominent industrial clusters during 2009-10 based on the concept of Comprehensive Environmental Pollution Index (CEPI). Out of the 88 industrial clusters assessed, 43 industrial clusters having CEPI score of 70 and above were identified as Critically Polluted Areas (CPAs) which included the industrial clusters of Vapi, Ankeshwar and Vatva in the state of Gujarat. Based on the CEPI scores, the Ministry on 13.01.2010 had imposed moratorium on consideration of developmental projects in all the 43 identified CPAs. Subsequently, upon submission of action plans by concerned State Pollution Control Boards / Pollution Control Committees (SPCBs / PCCs) and further assessment under CEPI in the year 2011 and 2013, moratorium has been lifted in a phased manner. Presently, the moratorium is in force in 6 CPAs namely Ankaleshwar, Vatva, Vellore (North Arcot), Jodhpur, Pali, Najafgarh Drain Basin.

In case of remaining 8 CPAs which include Vapi, based on the inputs received from concerned SPCBs on initiation of ground work in implementation of action plan, moratorium was lifted on 26.10.2010. However, based on the CEPI studies of 2011 and 2013 moratorium was re-imposed on 17.09.2013 but this re-imposition of moratorium was kept in abeyance by the Ministry on 10.06.2014.

(c) & (d)According to CPCB, representations have been received from Gujarat State Pollution Control Board (GPCB) and other agencies of State Government of Gujarat for lifting of moratorium from CPAs located in Gujarat. For undertaking review and assessment of the progress of implementation of Action Plans, field visits were undertaken during 18th-19th January, 2016 by the nominated officers. The matter has been deliberated in the Ministry and it has been decided to undertake another round of CEPI assessment through CPCB based on the latest environmental monitoring and revised CEPI concept.

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