CPCB revises classification of industries

The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) directed state pollution control boards to adopt a revised classification of industries with a new category, blue, for so-called "essential environmental services" such as those engaged in maintaining landfills or biomining.

- Jayashree Nandi

NEW DELHI:

"The new category of EES will be termed "Blue Category sector" and as an incentive for the essential services an additional two years validity for consent to operate (as per the Pollution Index) will be provided," CPCB said.

The category also includes waste to energy plants and some compressed biogas plants, essentially any utility required for management of environmental concerns arising from domestic/household activities which otherwise have large littering potential, according to CPCB.