The Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has proposed to exempt standalone cement grinding units without captive power plants from the requirement of prior environmental clearance, according to a draft notification issued on 26 September.If approved, the move could benefit the Adani Group’s proposed Rs 14 billion (Rs 1,400 crore) 6-million-tonne-per-annum cement grinding plant in Kalyan, part of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region. The plant, belonging to Ambuja Cement Ltd, an Adani Group company, has faced strong opposition from residents of Mohone and ten surrounding villages.At a Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) public hearing last month, citizens expressed concerns over potential health hazards and environmental risks from the project, questioning how such a large-scale industrial facility could be allowed in a densely populated area.Locals highlighted the risk of emissions including particulate matter, sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, and carbon monoxide.However, the ministry’s draft notification proposes that standalone cement grinding units — which do not carry out high-temperature “calcination” or “clinkerisation” processes — be exempted from detailed Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) reports and public consultation requirements. The ministry argues that such units have a lower pollution potential compared to integrated cement plants but are still subjected to equally stringent compliance measures, resulting in disproportionate regulatory burdens.Officials explained that these standalone facilities consume less energy and generate less waste, as they do not undertake the heating and chemical breakdown processes integral to full-scale cement manufacturing.Furthermore, the draft encourages the use of green logistics, such as the transportation of raw materials and finished products through railways and electric vehicles. The Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC), after detailed deliberation, recommended the exemption to promote “environmental governance and green logistics.”Sources said the Ambuja Cement plant, located near Ambivli railway station, is likely to rely on rail transport for raw materials, aligning with the EAC’s sustainability criteria.The public has 60 days from the date of notification to submit comments or objections. Once finalised, the amendment will form part of the 2006 EIA notification that governs environmental clearance norms.Subhash Patil, president of the Gramastha Mandal Mohone Koliwada — a local group opposing the project — said residents were unaware of the new proposal. “I don’t think it’s a good move by the government. We’ll review the notification and decide our next steps,” he said.An MPCB official confirmed the ministry’s draft, stating that feedback will be reviewed before the final decision is taken.According to the project summary, the proposed plant will occupy 26.13 hectares, with 9.67 hectares reserved for green belt development and 5.49 hectares for the grinding unit, storage, and packing facilities.The project, planned on the former National Rayon Company (NRC) site in Ambivli near Titwala, will house a 6-million-tonne-per-annum grinding capacity. The NRC facility, established in 1945, ceased operations in 2006 and was acquired by the Adani Group through the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) in 2020 after a long-standing labour dispute.