Validity of environment clearance for port, harbour projects likely to be extended

The Environment Ministry has proposed extending the validity period of environmental clearances for ports and harbour projects from 11 years to 20 years.

The Environment Ministry has issued a draft notification proposing to extend the validity period of environmental clearances (EC) granted for ports, harbours, breakwaters, and dredging projects.

Currently, the validity of an EC for such projects lasts for 10 years, which can be extended for an additional year. The draft notification suggests increasing this period to 15 years, with an option for a further five-year extension.

''The Committee (Sectoral Expert Appraisal Committee) was of the opinion that, considering the long gestation and phased development characteristic of Port and Harbour projects, the validity period of EC granted to ports and harbours needs to be rationalised as the existing 10+1 years validity appears to be insufficient,'' the draft notification issued on Friday said.

To implement this extension, the ministry has proposed amendments to a 2006 notification, which was last revised in January 2026.

According to the latest draft notification, one of the changes to the 2006 notification is: ''in paragraph 9, in sub-paragraph (ii) (b), the following shall be inserted after the existing entries, namely:- ''Ports, harbours, breakwaters, dredging''.''.

Currently, paragraph 9's sub-paragraph (ii) (b) reads, ''The prior environmental clearance granted for an existing or new project or activity shall be valid for a period of 15 years in the case of nuclear power projects or activities and processing of nuclear fuel''.

Similarly, ports, harbours, breakwaters, and dredging projects have been added to paragraph 9's sub-paragraph (iii) to allow the validity of their EC to be extended by five years.

At present, nuclear power projects and fuel processing activities can receive a five-year extension on their EC validity.