KARACHI: The Sindh Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA) has de-notified the requirements for environmental approval for nine types of projects.
The step is taken as a part of the Government of Sindh’s current focus on moving to transform the regulatory environment of the province, said a press release on Thursday.
These projects are low-impact environmentally and can now be started without applying for the SEPA’s approval by submitting an Environmental Checklist.
The approval process for Environmental Check lists will now be completed in 15 working days compared to earlier time of 30 days. The nine projects exempted from environmental approval include warehouses for storage of non-hazardous/non-combustible materials having total covered area less than 2,000 square yards (except cold storages).
Multi-storied buildings excluding educational institutions, restaurants and hotels with a height up to 70 feet and covered area up to 2,000 square yards.
Parking Plaza/Building for parking vehicles covering area up to 2000 square yards Marriage halls and banquet facilities up to 500 square yards of plot size. Baking and confectionary units up to 500 square yards of plot size and without installation of boiler or pressure vessel bus and wagon stands up to 4000 square yards.
Small scale brick and block manufacturing units (non-kiln) up to 2000 square yards. Motor vehicles workshops and maintenance garages up to 500 square yards and basic health unit with less than 10 beds capacity.
These reforms are part of the larger plan developed with the help of World Bank to introduce Ease of Doing Business reforms at the federal and provincial levels.
