The Odisha Department of Forest, Environment & Climate Change (FE&CC) has stepped up efforts to accelerate national and state infrastructure projects by expediting forest clearances.
At a high-level coordination meeting chaired by Principal Secretary Bhaskar Jyoti Sarma, officials reviewed major proposals under the PRAGATI and PMG platforms, with a focus on reducing procedural delays in Forest Diversion Proposals. Key discussions covered 4G saturation projects by BSNL and RJIL, along with transport and power infrastructure led by Indian Railways, NHAI and OPTCL.
Progress of mineral and industrial projects involving companies such as Tata Steel, Vedanta, Dalmia Cement and Rungta Mines was also assessed. Sarma outlined a roadmap to clear pending issues, urging nodal officers, forest officials and user agencies to adhere to timelines.
Officials were directed to assist user agencies in filing proposals and identifying compensatory afforestation land, reinforcing coordinated and time-bound environmental governance in Odisha.
