The Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) has aligned its consent process with the recent amendments to the Air Act and Water Act notified in January 2025. Since Green Category industries are recognised as low-pollution units, the Board has introduced measures to simplify compliance, reduce procedural burden, and promote ease of doing business.

The circular introduces the following simplifications for Green Category industries:

• Exemption from Site Visit: Applications for Consent to Establish (CTE) and Consent to Operate/Renewal will not require physical inspection by MPCB officials.
• Self-Certification Based Processing:
  • For CTE: Applicants must self-certify compliance with siting criteria and submit mandatory building/development permissions.
  • For Consent to Operate/Renewal: Applicants must self-certify compliance with environmental norms and conditions of previous consent.
• Online Submission: All applications and declarations must be submitted through MPCB’s online system; physical submissions will not be accepted.
• Monitoring & Verification: Though inspections are waived at the application stage, MPCB reserves the right to conduct random checks or audits in cases of suspected non-compliance.
• Scope: The circular also applies to expansion projects falling under the Green Category.