Tripura Eases Pollution Consent Rules for Small Industries

In a major step towards improving the Ease of Doing Business, the Tripura State Pollution Control Board (TSPCB) has issued a new notification to simplify and speed up the process of issuing Consent to Establish (CTE) and Consent to Operate (CTO) certificates for industrial units across the state.

Here are the key highlights of the new directives:

1. Self-Certification for Projects up to ₹50 Lakh

Industries or projects with a capital investment of up to ₹50 lakh can now obtain both CTE and CTO certificates through self-certification. Applicants must:

• Submit an online application form.
• Attach the prescribed Self-Certification format (Annexure-A).
• Pay the applicable consent fees.
• Upload necessary supporting documents.

2. Third-Party Inspection for Investments Above ₹50 Lakh

For projects with capital investment exceeding ₹50 lakh, the board has introduced a Third-Party Inspection/ Certification system for both CTE and CTO issuance.

• The inspection must be conducted by agencies/ environmental auditors empaneled by the Board.

• Guidelines for empanelment are provided in Annexure-B.

3. Auto-Renewal of Consent Certificates

To reduce administrative delays, the Board has also introduced auto-renewal provisions:

• Consent to Establish:
  Can be auto-renewed for a period of 3 years, regardless of investment size.
  • Requires submission of a requisition letter (Annexure-C) and the last CTE certificate.
  • No additional fees required.

• Consent to Operate:
  Auto-renewal is allowed for all industries:
  • Up to ₹50 lakh investment: Self-certification required (Annexure-A).
  • Above ₹50 lakh investment: Requires a Third-Party Inspection report.
  • Applicable consent fees and documents must be submitted online.

4. Exceptions

These simplified processes do not apply in cases where:

• A Closure Order has been issued.

• A Court Case is pending before any judicial or appellate authority, including the National Green Tribunal.

The notification is effective immediately until further orders ( May 13, 2025 )

This move by the TSPCB is expected to significantly reduce compliance burdens, ensure timely approvals, and promote industrial growth in Tripura.