Home / Environment / NGT Scraps Fixed Distance Rules for Polluting Industries
NGT Scraps Fixed Distance Rules for Polluting Industries
19 Oct
Summary
- NGT seeks documents on new rules replacing fixed distance criteria.
- Petitioner challenges amended guidelines for industrial pollution permits.
- New rules replace fixed distances with site-specific conditions for industries.
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) is scrutinizing new environmental regulations for industrial siting. In an order issued on October 7, 2026, the tribunal directed a petitioner to provide documentation regarding the rules that replace fixed minimum-distance criteria with site-specific conditions. This action follows a petition challenging the January 2026 amendments to guidelines governing pollution consents for industrial units.
The petitioner contends that the amendments, issued under the Water and Air Acts, weaken environmental protections without adequate scientific backing or stakeholder input. Previously, industries had to maintain specific distances from water bodies and sensitive locations. The new framework allows expert committees or state pollution control boards to determine conditions based on site-specific assessments.
Notices have been issued to the Central Pollution Control Board and the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. The tribunal seeks a comparison of the old and new siting rules. The next hearing is scheduled for December 15, 2026, to address the petitioner's concerns about potentially diluted environmental safeguards.
