AHMEDABAD: The long-pending decision on lifting moratoriums on three industrial clusters in the state -at Vapi, Ankleshwar and Vatva -will soon be taken by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). The board is set to present its final report, confirmed a government official.
"Gujarat has made steady progresses in fortifying the environment infrastructure.Gujarat Pollution Control Board (GPCB) has made regular representations before CPCB regarding the issue," said Arvind Agrawal, additional chief secretary , state forests and environment department.
Agrawal was at the precursor event of the second edition of `Wastech 2016 International Summit and Expo' on environment sustainability organized by GPCB and CII. The summit will be held between December 2 and December 4.
He further confirmed that pollution levels in these three regions have met environmental norms prescribed by the centre. The three areas are among the most critically polluted industrial clusters in India, and the Union ministry of environment, forests and climate change had imposed a moratorium in 2009, restricting any expansion in these clusters.
"I am confident that the CPCB reports will be positive and the moratoriums on Vapi, Ankleshwar and Vatva will be lifted soon," Agrawal added.
At the event, experts emphasized on encouraging environment-friendly industrial practices. "It is more expensive to carry out remedial measures to correct environmental damage than preventing environmental damage.
