Consent to Operate (CTO) is a compulsory environmental clearance and before starting any operations industries are required to secure from the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB). It is issued under the Water (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 and the Air (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1981. The CTO guarantees that the projected industrial activities do not harmfully affect the environment. The PPCB has set up a planned procedure, composite forms and comprehensive documentation need to adjust and check industrial pollution efficiently in several industry groups.

Importance of CTO

The CTO plays a vital role in confirming environmental compliance and sustainability. It empowers the government to observe emissions and emissions, control pollution, and implement industry-specific environmental standards. Without a proper CTO, industries risk legal fines, shutdowns, and reputational damage. In addition, CTO compliance helps industries act responsibly, build trust with stakeholders, and collaborate in long-term environmental protection. Punjab Pollution Control Board enables easy compliance through approved lab reports from NABL, designated area approvals, and seamless online and offline application process.

Eligibility Criteria

To apply for a CTO from Punjab Pollution Control Board, the industry must:

• Be situated in a designated industrial area or as per approved siting criteria.
• Possess a valid Consent to Establish (CTE) or NOC.
• Install and commission Effluent Treatment Plant (ETP) or pollution control devices.
• Submit required documents including:

1. Site/Location Plan
2. Manufacturing process flow
3. CA certificate of un-depreciated fixed assets
4. Analysis reports from PPCB or NABL labs
5. Proof of land allotment or designated area compliance

• Industries already functioning must provide commissioning date and past CTO/NOC details.

Fee Structure

The fee for NOC as prescribed by the Punjab Pollution Control Board may vary from Rs 600 to Rs 24 Lacs depending upon the category and amount of capital investment of the proposed industry. For more specific details, click on the link below:

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Documentation As Required By Punjab Pollution Control Board

Application for Consent to operate under Water Act, 1974/ Air Act, 1981 for Red/Orange Category - Fresh Case

• Consent Conditions or Compliance Report of NOC  in illustrative form
• Completion certificate of Effluent Treatment Plant or Add-on pollution control devices along with Dimensional Drawing
• Plan showing the location of the Effluent Treatment Plant or Add-on pollution control devices and all outlets and various channels/pipes/sewers with requisite colors as mentioned below:
• Fresh Water -  Blue Colour
• Effluent Channel- Red Colour.
• Recirculation Water Channel - Green Colour.
• Storm Water - Orange Colour.
• Domestic Sewer - Dotted Black ink.
• CA's certificate regarding the un-depreciated value of the fixed assets of the industry at the end of the last financial year.
• Application for the industry which is already established / operational, the following additional
• documents are also required to be uploaded. 
• Location Plan or Site Plan of the Industry.
• Proof of date commissioning of the Industry ( Registration of the industry/ Electricity bill /Sales Tax no )
• Manufacturing process details along with the process flow chart.
• The latest granted NOC/CTE/CTO, if obtained offline, then a copy of NOC/CTE/CTO granted to be uploaded.
• Analysis report of treated emission from Punjab Pollution Control Board/ waste effluent / Approved Lab.
• Documents regarding designation of area/compliance with specific guidelines:

(Any one of the following)

• Allotment letter of the Allotting Authority, if the site of the project is located in the designated Industrial Area/  Industrial Estate/ Focal Point.
• Certificate from the Designated Authority to the effect that the site of the project/industry is located in the designated Industrial zone/ area of the notified/ draft Master Plan in which the establishment of such industry/ project is permissible. The undertaking shall clearly indicate the revenue entries I.e. Hadbast Number, khewat /khatauni number and Khasra numbers.
• Certificate of the Revenue Authorities (SDM/DC/ADC) indicating the distance of the site of the industry from the Municipal Corporation Iimits Lallakir /Phirni of the nearest village, in case, the industry is to be established at a plot other than the plot in the industrial estate /industrial zone/ industrial area of the draft master plan / industrial zone of the notified master plan.          
• For industry-specific guidelines, certificates/ documents as mentioned in the said guidelines (In case of Rice Sheller/Saila Plant/Stone Crusher/Brick Kiln/Hot Mix plant/Cement Grinding units etc.)

Application for Consent to operate under Water Act, 1974/ Air Act, 1981 for Green  Category - Fresh Case

• Compliance report of NOC / Consent Conditions in annotated form.
• CA's certificate regarding the un-depreciated value of the fixed assets of the industry at the end of last financial year.

Application, where the industry is already established / operational, the following additional documents, are also required to be uploaded.

• Location Plan or Site Plan of the Industry.
• Proof of date commissioning of the Industry. ( Registration of the industry/ Electricity bill /Sales Tax no )
• Manufacturing process details along with the process flow chart.
• The latest granted NOC/CTE/CTO, if obtained offline, then a copy of NOC/CTE/CTO granted to be uploaded.
• Documents regarding designation of area/compliance of specific guidelines (Any one of the following):
• Allotment letter of the Allotting Authority, if the site of the project is located in the designated Industrial Area/  Industrial Estate/ Focal Point.
• Certificate from the Designated Authority to the effect that the site of the project/industry is located in the designated Industrial zone/ area of the notified/ draft Master Plan in which the establishment of such industry/ project is permissible. The undertaking shall clearly indicate the revenue entries I.e. Hadbast Number, khewat /khatauni number, khatta number and Khasra numbers.
• Certificate of Revenue Authorities (DC/ADC/SDM) indicating the distance of the site of the industry from the Municipal Corporation Limits / Lallakir/Phirni of the nearest village, in case, the industry is to be established at a plot other than the plot in the industrial area / industrial zone/ industrial estate of the draft master plan / industrial zone of the notified master plan.   

Important Note:

• In case the NOC was not granted online, you requested to submit a copy NOC granted, a copy of the Project Report, and a Feasibility Report submitted at the time of obtaining NOC.
• The application shall be accompanied by a CTO fee as per the un-depreciated fixed assets of the industry.

Validity Period Of Consent To Operate Granted By Punjab Pollution Control Board

All the industries will be granted consent to operate for a period of 5 years except in the case of industries, falling in the green category, where the consent would be for a period of 10 years. However, the culminating period of consent to operate shall be as under:

After obtaining the consent of the Punjab Pollution Control Board, the industry will intimate the concerned Regional Office of the Pollution Control Board that its ETP/ APCD has stabilized and shall make a request to the said Office within 3 months to carryout performance study/sampling of pollution control devices. If, the industry does not convey to the Pollution Control Board, then it will be the responsibility of the Regional Office to visit the industry for carrying out monitoring after 3 months but not later than 6 months. In case, the industry is found violating the conditions of consent, the industry would be liable for action under the provisions of the environmental laws including revocation/cancellation of consent granted to it. 

How to apply for NOC????

• Fill up our requirement form. https://www.corpseed.com/service/state-pollution-control-consent-noc
• We would collect all your documents and file them directly (Online & Offline) with State Pollution Control Office.
• You would receive your completed Pollution Control Consent to Established/Operate registration certificate by E-mail and courier

Conclusion 

Obtaining Consent to Operate (CTO) from Punjab Pollution Control Board is a legal and environmental obligation for red, orange and green industries in all sectors. This process ensures that measures to control pollution are present and active before the plant begins operation. Depending on the type and scale of the industry, the CTO remains valid for 5 to 10 years, with clear timelines for periodic monitoring. Failure to adhere may result in cancellation and legal action. For help in preparing and filing the document, industries can seek authorized service providers to ensure unhindered registration and ongoing compliance under state pollution control principles.