Distressed by the incessant delays at the forestry level, Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd has asked the power ministry to discuss forest clearances for its transmission projects with the ministry of environment and forests. PGCIL said that the forest clearance process had become lengthier and more complex due to a recent MoEF circular on Forest Right Act. Besides, in case of proposals involving wildlife sanctuary or national park, obtaining permission from the Supreme Court took substantial time.

The public sector power transmission company observed that the environment ministry should give permission to start work after the first stage or 'in principle' approval. At present, MoEF grants forest clearance in two stages-the first stage is where 'in principle' approval is accorded to the project and the second stage is the final approval accorded by the ministry after receiving the compliance report from state government. According to existing norms, construction work in the forest area can start only after the final approval.

PGCIL suggested that construction work on projects be allowed soon after 'in principle' approval on the basis of an undertaking that the project would comply with all stipulated conditions, if it did not involve a national park or wildlife sanctuary.