Mumbai: As many as 50 major infrastructure projects across the state have taken a hit after a directive of the union ministry of environment and forests (MoEF) to subject every mining work, irrespective of the size of the lease, to green clearances. Most of these are irrigation dam, road and highway works undertaken on a build-operate-transfer basis and are grounded since contractors are unable to timely extract minerals used in these works, such as sandstone, boulder, brick-earth, quartzite, crushed stone, ordinary earth, etc. The MoEF guidelines are in tune with a recent Supreme Court order that states that even projects of minor mineral with lease area of less than five hectares must obtain clearances from the state environment impact assessment authority. “Because of these changes, major dams, roads and highway projects have come to a standstill and mining has become impossible in the regions of Ratnagiri, Sindhudurg, Sangli and Solapur. The government must clarify on this matter soon,” said a note of the revenue department. According to the note, after the recent changes and court order, it has become impossible for small private players and individuals to appoint a consultant and prepare a blueprint and approach the green panel. “There needs to be greater clarity on whether work carried out by an individual on his land will also be subjected to this approval. How will an individual appoint a consultant and prepare a blueprint,” said an official, adding that the state should ask the Centre to amend rules or give exemption to certain vital projects. According to the note, the concession period of certain projects needs to be extended, and relief provided to minimize any financial implications. The government must conduct more training programmes on the issue.