Pollution Board Consent (CTE / CTO)
Consent to Establish and Consent to Operate from the State Pollution Control Board.
Reviewed by CA Hitendra Pal Singh· company law, tax and complianceLast reviewed
Any unit with the potential to discharge to air or water needs Consent to Establish before construction and Consent to Operate before starting, under the Water and Air Acts. Industries are colour-coded red, orange, green and white; white is exempt, and the others pay fees on capital investment and renew on fixed cycles. Running without consent is an offence, not a late fee.
What is included
- Category classification
- CTE application on the state portal
- CTO application after set-up
- Inspection coordination
- Consent certificates and a renewal calendar
What we will need from you
- Certificate of Incorporation or equivalent
- Site plan and land documents
- Project report with process flow and raw materials
- CA certificate of capital investment
- Effluent and emission treatment details
- Water source and consumption details
How long it takes
Typically 30–90 working days by category.
Timelines are typical, not guaranteed. Government processing times vary, and a query from the officer adds to them. We will tell you where yours stands.
Common questions
How long is consent valid?
Longer for lower-risk categories — commonly five years for red, ten for orange and fifteen for green, though state rules differ. We confirm for your state.
I run a software office — do I need this?
No. White-category units are exempt and only intimate the board.