Tarun Karthick
Sri Vijaya Puram, 15 September 2025
The Andaman and Nicobar Pollution Control Committee (ANPCC) has extended the deadline for industrial units established without prior pollution clearance to regularize their operations.
In its 34th meeting held in May 2025, the committee decided to allow such units to apply directly for Consent to Operate (CTO)—without obtaining prior Consent to Establish (CTE)—till October 31, 2025.
Under the provisions of the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, and the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981, no industry can be set up or operated without securing CTE and CTO from the State Board. Compliance with these regulations is also mandated under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
The ANPCC observed that several industrial units in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands continue to operate without the required pollution consents, violating environmental laws. Although a previous compliance window had been given, the committee still receives CTO applications without prior CTE, prompting this extension.
Officials stressed that CTO will only be issued if the unit complies with all prescribed environmental norms. However, no applications from such violators will be entertained after October 31, 2025. CTO applications must be filed online through www.anocmms.nic.in. Failure to comply within the extended timeline will attract strict action under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
The ANPCC has urged all stakeholders and industrial entrepreneurs to strictly follow statutory requirements by obtaining CTE before establishing an industry and CTO before commencing operations.
