New Rules for Management of Contaminated Sites
The Ministry of Environment has introduced the Environment Protection (Management of Contaminated Sites) Rules, 2025, under the Environment Protection Act. These rules provide a legal framework for addressing chemical contamination at various sites across India.
Definition and Current Status
- The Central Pollution Control Board defines contaminated sites as areas where hazardous waste has historically been dumped, leading to soil, groundwater, and surface water contamination.
- Currently, there are 103 identified sites across India, with remedial operations commenced at only seven.
Historical Context
- Previously, there was no regulation for managing hazardous waste, leading to several contaminated sites.
- In 2010, the Environment Ministry initiated a program to develop a national framework for site remediation.
Legal Framework
- The new rules require district administrations to prepare half-yearly reports on “suspected contaminated sites.”
- A State board or a ‘reference organization’ will provide preliminary assessments within 90 days and conduct detailed surveys within three more months.
Remediation Process
- If sites exceed safe levels of hazardous chemicals, their locations will be publicized, and access will be restricted.
- A remediation plan will be specified by a body of experts.
- The state board has 90 days to identify those responsible for contamination.
- Costs for remediation fall on those responsible, or else the center and state arrange for cleanup expenses.
Exclusions
- Contamination from radioactive waste, mining operations, oil pollution, and solid waste from dump sites is not covered, as separate legislation exists for these areas.
Challenges
- There is no defined timeline for when a contaminated site must be returned to safe levels.
