Supreme Court bars government from post facto green clearance to projects

The Supreme Court has protected projects worth Rs 20,000 crore from demolition. It permanently prohibited the government from granting post-facto environmental clearances. The court quashed a 2021 office memorandum that kept a window open indefinitely. Prior environmental clearance under the 2006 notification is now mandatory for all projects. The judgment will operate prospectively, validating past clearances granted under earlier rules.