By IANS,
New Delhi : A total of 286 projects in various sectors, including construction projects, are awaiting environmental clearance, Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh told parliament Tuesday.
Replying to question in Rajya Sabha, Ramesh said a number of steps have been taken by the ministry to dispose the task.
Of the 286 projects, the highest 34 projects are pending in Orissa followed by 31 in Gujarat and 29 in Rajasthan.
Ramesh said that as per the provision of the environment impact assessment notification, a period of 105 days is available from the date of receipt of complete information from the project proponent.
As far clearance for power projects is concerned, about 42 projects await green signal from the ministry.
Of these, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu have the highest number of five each.