The Environment Ministry has lifted its January-2010 moratorium on environmental clearance for new projects and expansion in eight critically polluted areas, including Ludhiana in Punjab.

Based on recommendations received from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the moratorium has been lifted in Ludhiana (Punjab), Varanasi-Mirzapur (UP), Agra (UP), Bhavnagar (Gujarat), Cuddalore (Tamil