GPCB siting criteria

Before granting CTE, GPCB checks where the unit will be located. The siting criteria (GPCB circular dated 5 June 2025, reaffirming the proposed siting norms framework) set minimum distances between industrial units and sensitive surroundings. The location is verified during CTE scrutiny and site inspection.

Minimum distances by category

| Sensitive feature | Red | Orange | Green | |---|---|---|---| | Residential areas / villages (gamtal), schools, colleges | 500 m | 200 m | 100 m | | Rivers, lakes, ponds, reservoirs (water bodies) | 500 m | 500 m | 500 m | | Natural drains & streams — unit boundary buffer | 12 m (or drain width, whichever is greater), both sides | 12 m | 12 m |

Key points:

• The water-body rule applies to every category — even Green units must keep 500 m from rivers, lakes and reservoirs. This protects drinking-water sources and riverine ecosystems.
• Permanent vs seasonal: the buffer targets permanent water bodies. Seasonal/intermittent ponds and monsoon streams are assessed case-by-case; natural drains still carry the 12 m buffer because they feed downstream water bodies.
• For wastewater-generating units, additional internal buffers apply (≈50 m from plot boundary considerations); non-wastewater units ≈30 m, per the criteria framework.

Areas needing special clearance (case-by-case)

Distances alone don't clear these — expect additional scrutiny, NOCs from other departments, or outright prohibition:

• National parks, wildlife sanctuaries and notified eco-sensitive zones (ESZ) — buffers per MoEF&CC notification for each ESZ (often 1–10 km)
• Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) areas — CRZ clearance regime applies
• Protected monuments and heritage structures — ASI prohibited (100 m) and regulated (300 m) zones
• Critically Polluted Areas / clusters identified by CPCB (Gujarat has had Ankleshwar, Vapi, Vatva and others under action plans) — new Red units face restrictions or moratoria
• Roads, railways, canals: setback distances per the relevant authority's norms

Practical guidance

1. Notified industrial estates (GIDC) are the safe harbour. Estates are planned with siting norms in mind; a plot in the right GIDC estate for your category removes most siting risk.
2. Check the map before buying land. A single pond within 500 m can sink a project. Use the Check Compliance tool on this site for a first pass, then verify on the ground.
3. Gamtal distance is measured from the village settlement boundary, not the village revenue boundary.
4. Siting criteria are enforced at CTE stage — an existing unit predating the criteria is dealt with differently from a new proposal.

This summary reflects the criteria framework publicly reaffirmed by GPCB in June 2025. Specific cases (expansions, estates with their own zoning, special economic zones) can differ — confirm with the GPCB regional office for your district.