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Consideration of Projects for environmental clearance based on Comprehensive Environmental Pollution Index (CEPI) - Keeping in abeyance the Moratorium in respect of Coal Mining expansion projects in Chandrapur Critically Polluted Area (CPA)

Ministry of Coal has been representing to MoEF for allowing expansion of coal mining projects in Chandrapur Critically Polluted Area in Maharashtra. MoEF while acknowledging that ‘CEPI (Comprehensive Environmental Pollution Index) Score is still high in Chandrapur CPA’ but claims that ‘coal mining activities do not seem to be major contributor to the pollution load of the area’! It has decided that ‘the existing moratorium imposed in Chandrapur CPA may be kept in abeyance temporarily for expansion projects of existing coal mining in the area.’ MoEF has issued an Office Memorandum on Consideration of Projects for environmental clearance based on Comprehensive Environmental Pollution Index (CEPI) - Keeping in abeyance the Moratorium in respect of Coal Mining expansion projects in Chandrapur Critically Polluted Area (CPA).