Delhi to fast-track pollution clearances and power upgrades

Starting August 2025, the Delhi government will automatically approve Consent to Operate (CTO) applications from Green Category industries if no decision is made within 20 days. This replaces the earlier 120-day review period.

The reform covers over 65 non-polluting industry types, including cold storage, furniture units, soap and detergent makers, packaging units, toy assembly, optical goods, and ayurvedic product manufacturing without boilers.

No further follow-ups or paperwork will be needed if approvals are delayed. The change is part of Delhi’s Single Window Clearance system to streamline industrial processes for MSMEs while maintaining environmental safeguards.

Meanwhile, the government is also planning a major overhaul of the capital’s power infrastructure to prevent future blackouts. At a meeting held on Friday, Power Minister Ashish Sood directed officials to prepare a detailed Power Master Plan for 2026–29.

Delhi Transco Limited (DTL) has proposed to expand the city’s transmission capacity to 24,000 MVA by 2029. This will be more than double the expected peak demand of 11,000 MVA. But officials warned that immediate challenges remain.

The city’s transmission network is already operating at over 90 per cent capacity. Projects to upgrade ageing substations and build new ones could reduce this to 70 per cent, but only if construction timelines are met.

Two key substations at Gopalpur and Tikri Khurd, together expected to add 4,000 MVA of capacity, have been stalled since 2022–23. 

In addition, the city’s three discoms, TPDDL, BRPL, and BYPL, presented a Rs 1,937 crore plan to install new transformers across the capital. However, all pointed to land constraints as the main barrier to progress, especially in densely populated areas.

To address this, the minister has asked the Power Secretary to hold joint meetings with MLAs and land-owning bodies like the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) and Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) to fast-track approvals.

Delhi’s rising power demand is driven by urban growth, higher consumption, and longer summers. The government agrees that delays are no longer affordable. Whether the city can move fast enough to stay ahead of the curve remains uncertain.