Tarun Karthick
Sri Vijaya Puram, 06 August 2025
The Andaman and Nicobar Pollution Control Committee (ANPCC) has extended the deadline for industrial units that began operations without obtaining mandatory environmental clearances. These units can now directly apply for Consent to Operate (CTO) without first securing Consent to Establish (CTE), but only until October 31, 2025.
As per the provisions of the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981, and the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, obtaining CTE is a legal prerequisite before establishing any industrial unit, followed by CTO prior to commencement of operations.
However, a significant number of industrial units in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands were found to be operating in violation of these laws, having bypassed the required approval process. Despite a previous opportunity extended to such violators, ANPCC continues to receive CTO applications from units that failed to obtain CTE.
In response, the committee has decided to grant a final opportunity to regularize these cases. The CTO will be issued only to those units that are in full compliance with applicable pollution control norms.
The ANPCC has made it clear that no applications will be entertained beyond October 31, 2025, for units that have skipped the CTE stage. Entrepreneurs and industrial unit owners have been urged to ensure full compliance by submitting their applications online through the portal: www.anocmms.nic.in.
The committee has also warned that units failing to meet the extended deadline will face strict legal action under the Environment Protection Act, 1986.
