In a significant decision which is set to provide much needed relief to the construction industry in Chhattisgarh, the State-level Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA) of Chhattisgarh Environment Conservation Board (CECB) granted environment clearances to 26 more sand mines located in different parts of the State on Wednesday. According to information received from CECB, after the fresh clearances granted to sand mines, the number of clearances granted by the board now stood at 118. Four months back, the SEIAA had provided green signal to 92 sand mines for starting operations. The sand mines that were provided environment clearance for starting operation include four in Raipur district. The officials informed that SEIAA has recommended for providing clearances to only those mines whose clearances were endorsed by State-level expert committee. In Raipur, till date, a total of 16 mines have been provided clearance. The district-wise number of fresh clearances offered are as follows — 10 in Rajnangaon, six in Dhamtari, 13 in Durg, six in Mahasamund, 13 in Bilaspur, three in Korba, four in Korea, 12 in Gariyaband, four in Kondagaon and 13 in Raigarh district. With these clearances, all the cases brought before SEIAA have been disposed.