UltraTech Cement has received clearance from the Ministry of Environment to expand capacity at its Awarpur plant in Maharasthra, subject to certain conditions.

The company has proposed to raise clinker production from the existing 3.3Mta to 4.5Mta and raise cement output from 4.48Mta to 6Mta.

The Union Environment Ministry’s Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) had earlier examined UltraTech Cement's proposal and suggested green clearance. "Based on the EAC recommendation, the Environment Ministry granted the final EC [environmental clearance] subject to certain conditions. The EC was issued to the company on September 11," a senior  official at the Ministry of Environment said.

The company has been asked to comply with specific conditions like developing green belt over 33 per cent of the total project area, as well as the installation of air monitoring devices and continuous stack monitoring.

UltraTech has also been asked to earmark at least five per cent of the total project cost towards corporate social responsibility.