New Delhi : The Supreme Court on Monday asked the ministry of environment and forests to set up a national environment regulator with offices in every state to “appraise and monitor” the process for granting green clearances and how the regulations are complied with.

Industry expects the move to make the process, now fraught with uncertainties and huge delays, more transparent and efficient. At present, more than 4,600 proposals are pending with the forest advisory committee (FAC) for final clearance.