Single Window Clearance System is the innovative endeavour of the Ministry of coal to create a platform to obtain various clearances for the operationalization of coal mines in the country. Various statutory provisions viz. approval of Mining Plan and Mine Closure Plan, Grant of Mining Lease, Environment and Forest Clearances, Wild Life Clearance, Safety, Rehabilitation of project affected families, welfare of workers etc. are prerequisite for starting of a coal mine.

These clearances are being granted by various Central Ministries and State Government departments/agencies. Some of the clearances have their online portals; still most of the clearances are being given through offline mode. The project proponents are required to approach different administrative ministries and Government departments separately to apply for the requisite clearances leading to delay in operationalization of coal mines.

As part of the Government of India’s decision to digitize the clearances, Ministry of Coal has conceptualized a Single Window Clearance System, through which a project proponent can apply for requisite clearances with a single registration interface. The portal is proposed to map applications and their respective process flows for grant of all the statutory clearances required (covering Central Ministries as well as State Government departments/agencies) for starting of a Coal Mine.

To facilitate ease of doing business, a unified platform of SWCS is designed to grant the requisite clearances and approvals required for starting a coal mine in India. This is also being integrated with PARIVESH portal of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change for more effective benefit.