Renewal of Consent to Operate (CTO) relating to air and water should be done by the factories in West Bengal to abate environmental pollution. The process is framed under the guidelines of the West Bengal Pollution Control Board (WBPCB), where the application is taken online along with the required supporting documents. Factories keep renewing their CTO to ensure that they do not pollute the area as per the pollution-control standards. This renewal in turn is very important to maintain sustainable industrial operations in the region.

--------------Blog Contact Form-------------

What is CTO (Consent to Operate)?

The Consent to Operate  (CTO) is a legal permission granted to industries to carry out their operations while maintaining environmental standards as provided for in the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, and the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981. CTO provides conditions for the operation to be carried out without causing harm to the environment.

Importance of renewal of Consent to Operate (CTO) for air/water 

• Operational continuity: A valid CTO is essential for the legal running of businesses, and failure to renew may result in shutdown or penalties, hence interrupting operations.
• Periodic review: Periodic review of the renewal process commonly comprises an environmental standards compliance assessment in itself, which may result in better waste and pollution control practices.
• Avoiding penalties: The late renewal applications may lead to action against the business under relevant environmental laws, such as fines or operational bans.
• Validity period: CTOs are not lifetime tools, they have a validity period that varies between 5 to 15 years depending on the category of the industry. Certification has to be renewed timely so that the lapse in certification does not occur.

Also Read: How to Renew Consent to Operate (CTO) Air/Water in Uttar Pradesh

What are the industry categories under CTO in West Bengal?

Documents Required for Renewal of Consent to Operate (CTO) for Air/Water in West Bengal

To renew Consent to Operate (CTO) for air/water in West Bengal, industries must submit the documents. Some documents required are: 

• Identity proof of applicant
• Proof of ownership/legal occupancy
• Land related documents
• Gross capital investment certificate

Procedure for renewal of Consent to Operate (CTO) for air/water in West Bengal

1. Online application submission

Entrepreneurs shall apply online at one of the following portals:

• Silpasathi
• WBOCMMS

Submit the documents required and pay the fees.

2. Compliance monitoring

Ensure all earlier instructions or requirements outlined by your previous CTO were adhered to when applying for renewal. These may include record-keeping for emissions as well as effluent handling.
Renewal Fees for Renewal of Consent to Operate (CTO) for Air/Water in West Bengal
The application fee for renewal of CTO is dependent on the Gross Capital Investment in land, building, and machinery. An online payment gateway only is considered for making the payment. The fee payable is as mentioned below:

• Green Category: 7 years
• Orange Category: 5 years
• Red Category: 5 years

Also Read: How to renew CTO - Consent to Operate - Air/Water in Gujarat

FOR MORE KNOWLEDGE ON DOCUMENTS, PROCEDURES AND FEES CONTACT US

Important points to remember

Renew in time: Apply for renewal at least 120 days before the end of the period of the existing CTO.
Auto-renewal: The option of auto-renewal is available to you without any change in production capacity, pollution load, or capital investment provided you mention the words "AUTO RENEWAL REQUIRED" in the application.
Compliance: In all respects adhere to the conditions of the existing CTO and submit true self-certification.
Documentation: Keep all documents, receipts, and correspondence related to this renewal process for possible use in the future.

Conclusion

The CTO for air and water in West Bengal must be renewed by the industries for compliance with environmental standards to ensure sustainable operations. It involves an online application to the designated portals along with the payment of required fees based on capital investment, and submission of other required documents. Non-compliance monitoring and timely renewal avoid penalties and ensure continued operations. This process fosters responsible industrial practices with environmental protection.