The Karnataka government has petitioned the Supreme Court for a one-time exemption for 80 projects that commenced operations without obtaining prior environmental clearance. The move comes amid mounting concerns from industry representatives across the state over project delays, land registration hurdles, and infrastructure bottlenecks.
Projects in Limbo
According to official sources, the 80 projects span multiple sectors including manufacturing, infrastructure, and real estate. They were identified during inspections by the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) as lacking mandatory environmental clearance under the Environment Protection Act, 1986. The state now seeks judicial intervention to regularise these projects, arguing that closure would result in significant economic disruption and job losses.
Industry representatives from across Karnataka raised concerns over delays in project execution, land registration, infrastructure and staffing. The plea, filed through the state's legal counsel, emphasises that many of these projects were initiated in good faith but fell through regulatory cracks due to complex compliance procedures.
Government’s Stand
The Karnataka government has argued that shutting down these projects would be counterproductive to the state's development goals. In its submission, the state highlighted that the projects collectively employ thousands of workers and contribute substantially to the local economy. The one-time exemption would allow the projects to continue operations while they apply for retrospective environmental clearance, subject to conditions and penalties.
Legal experts note that the Supreme Court has previously taken a strict stance on environmental violations, but has also allowed regularisation in exceptional cases where public interest is at stake. The Karnataka plea seeks to balance ecological concerns with economic realities.
Impact on Industry
The petition has been welcomed by industry bodies such as the Federation of Karnataka Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FKCCI), which had flagged the issue of pending environmental clearances as a major hurdle for business. According to FKCCI representatives, the delay in clearances has stalled investments worth several thousand crores and hampered the ease of doing business in the state.
The timeline for the Supreme Court hearing remains uncertain, but the state hopes for a favourable order that will prevent further loss of livelihoods and economic activity. Meanwhile, environmental activists have urged the court to impose strict penalties and ensure that future compliance is not compromised.
