**Executive Summary**
This document provides the Ministry of Steel's response to Unstarred Question No. 1749 in Lok Sabha, concerning the environmental clearances and related matters for Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL) plants in West Bengal. It addresses the status of environmental clearances, technology upgrades, raw material availability, and environmental compliance monitoring. The response is dated February 10, 2026.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Environmental Clearances:**
* SAIL plants in West Bengal currently operate with valid Environmental Clearances (EC).
* Relevant statutory records are accessible on the PARIVESH portal of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC).
* **Technology Upgrades:**
* Technology upgradation initiatives based on Best Available Technology (BAT) have been implemented at SAIL plants serving West Bengal.
* These upgrades are part of modernization and capacity augmentation programs.
* **Raw Materials:**
* SAIL has sufficient raw materials for its plants.
* Measures to enhance iron ore production, including accelerated exploration and infrastructure development, have been undertaken.
* **Environmental Compliance:**
* Environmental compliance at SAIL units is monitored by regulatory bodies, including MoEFCC, Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs), and Pollution Control Committees (PCCs).
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder: Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL)**
* **Impact:** SAIL's operations in West Bengal are confirmed to be compliant with environmental regulations and possess valid Environmental Clearances. SAIL is actively pursuing technology upgrades and measures to secure raw material supply.
* **Action Required:** Continue to maintain environmental compliance, pursue modernization efforts, and ensure the adequacy of raw materials for plant operations.
**Stakeholder: Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) and other Regulatory Bodies (CPCB, SPCBs, PCCs)**
* **Impact:** These regulatory bodies are responsible for monitoring SAIL's environmental compliance.
* **Action Required:** Continue monitoring SAIL's environmental compliance and ensure adherence to environmental regulations.
**Stakeholder: General Public**
* **Impact:** The public has access to SAIL's environmental compliance records via the PARIVESH portal, promoting transparency.
* **Action Required:** Access and review the environmental records on the PARIVESH portal.
Key Entities Referenced
Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL): Company whose environmental clearances in West Bengal are the subject of the question.
West Bengal: State where SAIL plants are located and where the environmental clearances are relevant.
Ministry of Steel: The ministry to which the question regarding SAIL's environmental clearances is addressed.
Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act: Act related to raw material availability for SAIL plants.
PARIVESH: Portal of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change where statutory records are available.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF STEEL
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1749
FOR ANSWER ON 10.02.2026
ENVIRONMENTAL CLEARANCES FO R SAIL PLANTS IN WEST BENGAL
1749. SHRI AZAD KIRTI JHA:
Will the Minister of STEEL be pleased to state:
(a) the current status of environmental clearances for Steel Authority of India Limited
(SAIL) plants in West Bengal including inspections, violations, penalties and public
access to these records;
(b) the details of technology upgrades using Best Available Technology at SAIL plants
serving West Bengal, the timelines and expenditure incurred, especially for Durgapur
Steel Plant;
(c) the steps taken to ensure SAIL has enough raw material for its plants following
Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act amendments impacting West
Bengal; and
(d) the Government’s role in monitoring SAIL’s environmental compliance, project
spending and whether independent audits or inspections are publicly accessible?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE (SHRI BHUPATHIRAJU SRINIVASA VARMA)
MINISTRY OF STEEL
(a)to(c): Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL) plants in West Bengal are presently
working with valid Environmental Clearance (EC). The relevant statutory records
pertaining to these units are available on PARIVESH portal of Ministry of Environment,
Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), Government of India.
At the plants of Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL) serving West Bengal,
technology upgradation initiatives based on Best Available Technology (BAT) have
been undertaken as part of modernisation and capacity augmentation programmes.
SAIL has adequate raw materials for its plants. Further measures to enhance iron
ore production have been taken including accelerated exploration & strengthening of
mining infrastructure and development of new mining areas.
(d) Environmental compliance at the units of Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL)
is monitored by regulatory bodies including MoEFCC, Central Pollution Control Board
(CPCB), State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs) and Pollution Control Committees
(PCCs).
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