India Relaxes Ban on Storing Hazardous Petroleum Substances in Coastal Zones

India's Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has relaxed a 2019 ban on handling and storing certain petroleum-based substances in coastal regulation zones. The notification allows receipt and storage of Linear Alkyl Benzene (LAB), N-Paraffin, and Carbon Black Feedstock (CBFS) based on requests from state coastal zone management authorities. The National Coastal Zone Management Authority reclassified these as less hazardous, despite the earlier ban aimed at protecting coastal biodiversity and communities. The decision shifts from a precautionary stance to a more permissive one. Critics may question the environmental risk assessment, especially given the potential for spills and contamination. The ministry has not yet published specific safeguards or monitoring requirements. This move affects industries that use these chemicals and raises questions about balancing economic activity with coastal protection. For stakeholders in environmental policy and coastal regulation, this development is significant. It signals a change in how hazardous substances are evaluated in sensitive areas. The article is based on reporting by Jitendra Choubey and was updated on September 25, 2026.