The Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has deferred its decision on granting environmental clearance (EC) to ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel India Ltd (AMNSIL) for its proposed 8.2 million tonnes per annum integrated steel plant in Anakapalli district, Andhra Pradesh.
The project, valued at approximately ₹1.50 trillion, was deliberated during the EAC’s meeting on October 30, 2025. The committee sought clarification from the Controller of Pollution (CP) Division regarding the applicability of Notification GSR 85(E) to the proposed site, given that the location had previously been granted environmental clearance.
Project Scale and Environmental Commitments
According to the proposal, the Environmental Management Plan (EMP) for the project is estimated to cost ₹3,540 crore, with an annual recurring expenditure of ₹355 crore.
During construction, the project is expected to generate employment for about 23,000 people, including 800 direct jobs and 22,200 indirect roles. Once operational, it will employ around 3,000 workers directly and 4,500 indirectly for operations and maintenance. AMNS India has stated that local hiring will be prioritised based on eligibility and skills.
Compliance and Procedural Clarifications
Sources familiar with the matter said that MoEFCC’s GSR 85(E) notification, issued on January 30, 2025, set new siting criteria for industrial projects. Since the Anakapalli site was allotted before the notification, AMNS India sought a compliance certificate from the Andhra Pradesh Pollution Control Board (APPCB), which was granted on October 17, 2025.
However, despite APPCB’s clarification, the EAC’s legal team requested further verification from the Ministry before granting approval. Officials indicated that once the clarification is received, the proposal is likely to be cleared automatically, though no timeline has been confirmed.
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