Neogen Chemicals has announced receiving a Revocation of Direction order from the Gujarat Pollution Control Board (GPCB) concerning the fire incident at its Dahej SEZ plant. Simultaneously, GPCB has granted a provisional consent order for setting up an industrial plant at the same location, valid until March 19, 2030. These developments signify a positive step towards resuming normal operations and compliance following the incident.
GPCB Revokes Direction, Grants Provisional Consent for Dahej Plant
Neogen Chemicals Limited has disclosed significant updates regarding its Multi-Purpose Plant (MPP3) facility located at Dahej SEZ. Following a fire incident on March 5, 2025, and subsequent directions from the Gujarat Pollution Control Board (GPCB), the company has now received a Revocation of Direction order from GPCB, dated November 7, 2026. This order officially revokes the previous directive issued by the environmental authority.
Operational Resumption and Compliance
In conjunction with the revocation, GPCB has also granted a provisional consent order for the setup of an industrial plant and related activities at the Dahej SEZ site. This provisional consent is effective from November 7, 2026, and will remain valid until March 19, 2030. This development, referred to as a “CC&A amendment,” is contingent upon the company’s compliance with applicable environmental laws, including the Water, Air, and Environment (Protection) Acts, and relevant rules.
Details of GPCB Order
The earlier direction from GPCB, issued on April 22, 2025, had mandated the non-utilisation of the affected plant and imposed an Environment Damage Compensation (EDC) cost of Rs. 34.60 lakhs, along with a bank guarantee of Rs. 7.5 Lakhs. The revocation of this direction was based on the company’s compliance with instructions from the Department of Industrial Safety and Health (DISH) and the GPCB’s own observations post-inspection. The GPCB’s order is valid for three months, requiring the unit to comply with its submitted undertaking and CC&A conditions.
While the fire incident impacted the original plant’s operations, Neogen Chemicals has installed a new replacement MPP-5 plant, which is currently undergoing trial production. The company has applied for a CC&A amendment for this new plant, and the provisional consent granted by GPCB is a crucial step in this process.
Source: BSE
