Parliament Question: Projects pending for Environmental Clearance

OIH GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2673 TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.03.2026 Projects pending for Environmental Clearance 2673. SMT. MANJU SHARMA: Will the Minister of ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE be pleased to state: (a) whether various minor and medium irrigation project of the States are pending with the Central Government in absence of Environmental Clearance; (b) if so, the details of such pending projects, State/UT-wise including Rajasthan, along with the time, since the said projects are under consideration of the Government; (c) the reasons for delay in giving Environmental Clearance; (d) the details of the sanctioned projects during the current year, State/UT-wise; and (e) the other steps taken/proposed to be taken by the Government to sanction these pending projects? ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE (SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH) (a) to (e) As per the provisions of the Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) Notification, 2006, as amended, the irrigation projects, irrespective of their culturable command area, are categorized as ‘B’ category, and are appraised at the State level by the State Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA) for grant of Environmental Clearance (EC). However, in cases where General Condition is applicable in terms of the EIA Notification, 2006, such projects are treated as Category A and are appraised at the central level. No minor and medium irrigation project is pending with the Ministry at central level for grant of EC. Further, no minor and medium irrigation project have been granted EC by the Ministry at central level during the current year till date. *****