The Kerala State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) on March 17, 2026, issued the notification regarding the Validity of Environmental Clearance (EC) granted by District Environmental Impact Assessment Authority (DEIAA).
The following has been stated namely: -
• Clause 9(iv) of the MoEF&CC Notification S.O. 1807(E) dated 12.04.2022 provides that Environmental Clearance (EC) for mining projects shall remain valid for the project life as per the approved mining plan, subject to a maximum of 30 years.
• This clause was earlier quashed by a Single Judge of the Kerala High Court through an order dated August 26, 2025 in WP(C) 23150/2023.
• Following that order, the Board clarified on September 20, 2025 that consent for quarries with valid DEIAA-issued ECs could be granted only up to the EC validity period, subject to cancellation based on SEIAA re-appraisal or future court orders.
• Later, the Division Bench of the Kerala High Court, through judgment dated January 22, 2026 in W.A. No. 2330/2025 and connected cases, set aside the earlier Single Judge order.
• Based on legal opinion and in the absence of any stay/interdictory order, the Board decided that Clause 9(iv) and the related notification remain valid, and consent applications may now be processed accordingly, subject to any future Supreme Court or High Court orders.
[Notification No. KSPCB/98/2024-SEE-1]
