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Chandigarh's environmental department has issued a new notification mandating green clearance for major township and construction projects. Any development exceeding 50 hectares or with built-up space beyond 150,000 m² and structures over 20,000m² now needs explicit environmental approval. This aligns with a national tribunal directive, making central-level appraisal compulsory for Category A projects near ecologically sensitive zones or state borders. Officials have urged developers to follow Supreme Court and tribunal guidelines. These measures mark a major pivot toward stricter green regulation in Chandigarh's urban planning, reinforcing long-term ecological safeguards across large-scale developments.
Chandigarh's environment department has enacted a major policy shift, requiring full environmental clearance for all townships spanning more than 50 hectares or built-up areas over 150,000 m², as well as individual buildings exceeding 20,000 m². This change implements instructions from the National Green Tribunal, which pressed the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change to rigorously enforce prior regulations regarding large-scale construction projects clustered within five kilometres of wildlife habitats, polluted zones or bordering states Advertisement
As per the revised mandate, all such large-scale developments falling under Category A must obtain clearance from the central-level Sectoral Expert Appraisal Committee. This includes projects located near inter-state boundaries, eco-sensitive areas, and regions already under stress from pollution or ecological fragility. Authorities have explicitly instructed project proponents to adhere to these environmental stipulations and secure approvals before commencing any construction activity.
The policy enforcement draws directly from the NGT's broader instructions to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) to ensure that environmental assessments are not bypassed especially for developments located within five kilometres of wildlife sanctuaries, protected zones, or state lines. It also aligns with recent Supreme Court rulings reinforcing the necessity of Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) for large projects.
This pivot towards stricter green scrutiny is a notable departure from Chandigarh?s earlier position. At one point, the administration had considered exempting buildings up to 5,000 m² from such clearances if compliance clauses were incorporated into local building bye-laws. However, the new approach reflects a firmer commitment to safeguarding the environment amid rising construction activity in and around the city. The timing of this notification is particularly significant. It follows a series of high-profile enforcement actions in the region, including a recent demolition drive in the Sukhna Lake catchment area targeting unauthorised constructions in Kaimbwala village.
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