Govt tweaks green approval norms for airport expansion

Streamlining the clearance process, the Environment Ministry has exempted expansion and modernisation activities at airports from environmental impact assessment (EIA). However, this exemption will be granted only if the expansion is strictly within the existing airport boundaries and does not involve any additional land.

In an official memorandum, the ministry said such activities would now be categorised under B2. The projects under categories A and B are required to undergo public consultation, whereas the category B2 schemes are exempted from the EIA.

Earlier, the expansion activities within the airport also required environmental clearance, as these came under category B.

The ministry had received a representation from the Airports Authority of India (AAI) seeking rationalisation of clearance requirements for expansion activities confined within the existing boundaries of airports.

“It has been submitted that under the flagship UDAN scheme, air travel is being expanded to improve accessibility and affordability, and the Krishi UDAN scheme has facilitated movement of agricultural produce from remote areas to markets. These initiatives have led to significant growth in passenger traffic and cargo movement, necessitating capacity enhancement at both major and regional airports,” the official memorandum said.

Development of new airports and expansion or modernisation of existing airports requires prior environmental clearance. All new projects, including airstrips intended for commercial use, are categorised as Category A projects, while expansion projects, including airstrips for commercial use, come under Category B projects.

The AAI told the ministry that the expansion work covering terminal buildings and allied facilities, as well as the extension or construction of runways, taxiways and other operational infrastructure was undertaken entirely within the already acquired land of the existing airports. These did not involve any additional land acquisition, it said.

“These works are primarily operational in nature, aimed at improving passenger convenience, safety and efficiency in view of rising demand. An expert appraisal committee (EAC) observed that such expansion activities were unlikely to result in incremental environmental impacts beyond the existing operational footprint of the airport. Further, airports are already subject to comprehensive regulatory oversight under civil aviation requirements, DGCA guidelines and statutory provisions of the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution),” the memorandum added.

The EAC further emphasised that airports were required to maintain robust environmental management systems, including air quality monitoring, waste management and greenbelt development within the premises.

“After due deliberation, the committee was of the considered view that expansion and development activities undertaken strictly within the existing airport boundaries and not involving any additional land may be categorised as B2 projects. It is hereby directed that all expansion/modernisation activities of airports having valid clearance shall be appraised as B2 projects, provided there is no increase in land area.