The National Green Tribunal has ordered the NHAI and Chengalpattu District Collector to submit reports regarding the loss of a pond during bridge construction. The authorities have acknowledged that a portion of the water body was removed for highway safety, sparking a review into potential environmental violations. Investors in infrastructure-heavy sectors should note the increasing regulatory focus on environmental compliance and land use.
The National Green Tribunal has launched an inquiry into the environmental impact of a bridge project in Chengalpattu, specifically targeting the alleged destruction of a local pond. The case involves the Mallai Water Bodies Protection and Preservation Association, which raised concerns over the impact of highway infrastructure on local wetlands. In response to the tribunal's directives, both the National Highways Authority of India and the Chengalpattu District Collector confirmed that 3,460 square meters of a 15,000 square meter pond were removed to adjust highway designs for better user safety.
To mitigate the environmental impact, the authorities have implemented a compensation plan that involves the desilting of four nearby water bodies under the central government's Amrit Sarovar scheme. The NGT has now instructed the project proponents to submit further documentation, including records from the wetland atlas, to determine if the site, known as Solaipoigai, was a formally notified wetland. This inquiry highlights a broader regulatory trend where infrastructure projects are increasingly being held accountable for their footprint on local ecosystems and water resources.
In a separate proceeding concerning environmental compliance, the tribunal addressed allegations of illegal sand mining and unauthorized brick kiln operations along the Ithikkara river in Kollam, Kerala. While the local District Collector stated that a three-year ban on sand mining remains in effect and that sand availability is limited, the NGT has requested a more detailed investigation. Specifically, the tribunal is seeking information on whether brick kilns operating along the riverbanks have secured the necessary permits from the Revenue Department and the Kerala State Pollution Control Board. The authorities must now provide updated reports on these operations to ensure they have not been circumventing the mining ban.
Separately, the tribunal has closed a case regarding quarrying activities in Tamil Nadu’s Tenkasi district after determining that existing directives from the Madras High Court were sufficient. Official inspection reports from the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board and the local District Collector confirmed that the quarry in question is currently non-operational. Authorities have removed the machinery and suspended transport permits, while restoration efforts for the affected irrigation channel are already in progress. The tribunal concluded that no further intervention is required for this specific project, as the ongoing actions align with previously issued court orders. Investors should continue to monitor how these environmental compliance mandates affect project timelines and operational costs for infrastructure and construction companies, as regulatory scrutiny on land and resource use continues to intensify across various Indian states.