Leegal

Yes, PCB licence (Consent to Establish and Consent to Operate) is mandatory for all industries that generate pollution - water, air, noise or hazardous waste. Only White Category industries with negligible pollution may be exempted. Operating without valid GPCB consent attracts penalties and legal action.

Consent to Establish (CTE) is required before starting construction or installation of an industry. Consent to Operate (CTO) is required to start commercial production after construction is complete and pollution control equipment is installed. Both are mandatory and sequential - CTE first, then CTO.

Processing time varies by industry category: Green Category (15-30 days), Orange Category (30-60 days), Red Category (60-90 days). Timeline depends on application completeness, site inspection, and department workload. Leegal ensures faster processing through expert application preparation and regular follow-ups.

CTO validity depends on industry category: Red Category (1 year renewable), Orange Category (3-5 years), Green Category (5 years). CTE is valid until project completion (typically 2-3 years). Renewal must be applied 60 days before expiry to avoid penalties and operational disruption.

Operating without valid PCB consent can result in: (1) Closure directions from GPCB, (2) Penalty up to ₹1 lakh per day of violation, (3) Imprisonment up to 7 years under Environmental Protection Act, (4) Seizure of equipment and disconnection of utilities. Additionally, banks may refuse loans and you cannot obtain other business licences.

Yes, Leegal provides GPCB licence services across all districts of Gujarat including Ahmedabad, Surat, Vadodara, Rajkot, Bharuch, Vapi, Ankleshwar, Gandhidham, Morbi, and all industrial zones. We have a dedicated team familiar with GPCB regional offices and local compliance requirements.