The Andhra Pradesh Pollution Control Board (APPCB), on December 16, 2025, issued revised instructions to further enhance the Speed of Doing Business by reducing timelines for processing Consent to Establish (CTE) and Consent to Operate (CTO) applications received through the online OCMMS portal. Acting on the directions of the Hon’ble Chief Minister during the review meeting held on November 24, 2025, the Board has shortened the processing timelines from 21/15/7 days to 12/10/3 days for Red, Orange, and Green category industries respectively in case of CTE applications, and to 15/12/5 days for CTO applications.
To ensure adherence to these reduced timelines, APPCB has introduced a component-wise online pre-scrutiny checklist covering topo plans, compliance status, environmental clearance, water balance, and material balance, supported by AI tools. Applications found incomplete will be automatically returned for rectification. Once complete details are submitted, applications will be processed strictly within the revised timelines through the APOCMMS platform. Regional Offices are required to conduct inspections promptly and forward inspection reports to the Zonal Office/Head Office within the prescribed time.
Further, the Board has directed frequent meetings of Consent Management Committees and mandated auto-renewal for all renewal applications. Zonal and Regional Offices must regularly monitor applications through the A.P. Single Desk Portal and take timely action. The circular warns that strict action will be initiated against defaulters for any delay or non-compliance with the revised instructions.
[Circular No. 328/APPCB/RO-ZO/2025]
