Securing an environment clearance for a project in Kerala is set to become faster and more transparent, thanks to an online system for submission and monitoring of applications.

Kerala has joined 18 other States to implement the online system for environmental clearance for category B projects requiring approval from the State-Level Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA).

Union Minister for Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC) Prakash Javadekar launched the SEIAA Kerala portal for online submission and monitoring of applications for environmental clearance through a video conference on Thursday.

Officials said the transition to the online system would take some more time.

“The online system obviates the need for a project proponent to travel to the office of the Department of Environment and Climate Change in Thiruvananthapuram to check the status of an application for environmental clearance. Once the application and supporting documents are uploaded onto the portal, the proponent can keep track of the proposal online, at every stage of the processing,” says an official.

Real-time information

As far as the government is concerned, the system ensures accountability and removes any scope for influence. Real-time information on pendency of applications is expected to make processing more efficient.

“The facility to access applications, reports and documents online is expected to improve the quality of appraisal by the State-level authority,” the official said.

“Very often, project proposals run into hundreds of sheets of paper. By providing the facility to upload the proposals onto the portal, the online system will minimise the need for paperwork and duplication. It will also ensure a lesser carbon footprint,” he added.

Category Á projects

In July last year, MoEFCC had launched an online application system for environmental clearance for Category Á projects. While applications for Category Á’ projects come to the Ministry for approval, applications under Category ‘B’ projects do not come to the Ministry and are dealt with at the State-level itself. Mining and quarrying, industrial projects, major housing and construction and removal of earth are among the activities that require environmental clearance from the State-level authority.

The SEIAA portal provides information on the proposals under examination, those returned to the proponent due to shortcomings and proposals cleared. It also has a link to the national portal where category A projects submitted to MoEFCC can be checked for clearance.