In a major simplification of rules, the building construction industry will no longer need to make trips to Delhi for environmental clearances (EC).

This means a huge saving in terms of time, money and human resources spent on following up clearances for projects in Delhi.

In a notification issued late last month, the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) said that for all constructions above 2 lakh sq feet the general conditions of the Environment Notification, 2006, will not apply. Similarly it will not apply to townships and area development projects. The general conditions of the Environment Impact Assessment Notification, 2006, applied to areas classified as eco-sensitive areas, critically polluted areas, inter-state boundaries and international boundaries.