Has Sirsa Announced a 20-Day Pollution Clearance for Green Industries in Delhi?

New Delhi, July 14 (NationPress) In an effort to enhance the business environment, the Delhi government has introduced a new 20-day deadline for pollution clearance specifically for Green Category industries, announced Environment and Industries Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa on Monday.

Starting in August, all applications for Consent to Operate (CTO) from eligible Green Category industries will be automatically approved if a decision is not reached within 20 days, significantly down from the previous 120-day period, he noted.

Sirsa stated: “This was a long-awaited request from the business sector in Delhi. I express my gratitude to Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena and Chief Minister Rekha Gupta for their unwavering support and visionary guidance in bringing this reform to fruition.”

He emphasized that the double engine government has achieved what had been unattainable for 50 years – this reform marks a historic transition in how we facilitate enterprise in the capital.

Sirsa remarked: “This sends a strong signal to entrepreneurs and the industry — Delhi is ready for responsible business. We are putting an end to the era of excessive licenses and approvals that have hindered growth for decades. This exemplifies the Delhi Model under our Chief Minister Rekha Gupta: focused on the people, growth-oriented, and mission-driven.”

This reform will provide direct benefits to more than 65 types of industries classified under the Green Category — generally non-polluting and low-risk sectors — which previously faced lengthy and complicated approval processes.

Industries affected include apparel manufacturing (excluding dyeing or bleaching), aluminum and PVC product manufacturing, Ayurvedic medicine production (without boilers), cold storage services, wooden and steel furniture crafting, confectionery production (using electric ovens), optical goods, toy assembly, soap and detergent manufacturing, battery container production, cardboard and packaging fabrication, among many others.

According to the new regulations, if a CTO application is not processed within the set timeframe, it will automatically be regarded as approved, eliminating the need for additional follow-ups or documentation.

This reform is anticipated to accelerate industrial growth in Delhi's MSME sector while ensuring environmental protections.

“Many of these sectors are driven by small and medium enterprises that will now be liberated from regulatory obstacles, allowing them to operate under a trust-based, time-sensitive clearance framework,” stated the Minister.