NGT seeks status report from Environment Ministry over Polavaram project

30 August, New Delhi

The National Green Tribunal has asked the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) to report it back about the status of implementation of its stop work order at the Polavaram project.

The Principal Bench headed by Green Tribunal Chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar directed the counsel for the Environment Ministry to submit a status report on the project and the Office Memorandum issued by it for stopping the work, by the next date of hearing, September 5.

The MoEF had issued a stop-work order in 2011 due to non-compliance of the condition for environment clearance following public hearings in Chattisgarh and Odisha. However, the Environment Ministry last year decided to keep the order in abeyance for a year, which expired in June this year. “Counsel appearing for the MoEF prays for further time to take instructions. We hardly find any reason for the same.

However in the interest of justice, we grant last opportunity, making it clear that in the event of default, the concerned Officer of the Ministry shall be present before the Tribunal on the next date of hearing,” the bench said.

The directions of the Green Court came while hearing a petition filed by one Dari Linga who has alleged that Andhra Pradesh government was constructing the Polavaram project in gross violation of environmental laws