Streamlining the clearance process, the Environment Ministry has exempted expansion and modernisation activities at airports from environmental impact assessment (EIA). However, this exemption will be granted only if the expansion is strictly within the existing airport boundaries and does not involve any additional land.

In an official memorandum, the ministry said such activities would now be categorised under B2. The projects under categories A and B are required to undergo public consultation, whereas the category B2 schemes are exempted from the EIA.

Earlier, the expansion activities within the airport also required environmental clearance, as these came under category B.

The ministry had received a representation from the Airports Authority of India (AAI) seeking rationalisation o

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