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The Hindu
15-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
NGT seeks clarity from T.N. govt. on sand dumping along the Adyar near Thiru. Vi. Ka. Bridge's eastern side
The Southern Bench of the National Green Tribunal has directed the Water Resources Department (WRD) and the State Highways Department to submit separate reports explaining the reasons behind sand dumping along the northern bank of the Adyar near the eastern side of Thiru. Vi. Ka. Bridge. The direction was issued during a recent hearing in a case filed by the Ramaniyam Towers Residents' Association. The matter was originally filed in the Madras High Court as a writ petition and was later transferred to the Bench. The residents' association has alleged that sand was being dumped under the pretext of strengthening the river bund, but in reality, it was being done to facilitate the construction of a proposed link road. The road is meant to connect Greenways Road with Durgabhai Deshmukh Road via the Tamil Nadu Music College campus. While the State government claims that the road is essential for easing traffic congestion in the area, the applicant argues that a portion of the proposed route falls within a Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ), where construction is restricted to protect the environment. The Bench, comprising Justice Pushpa Sathyanarayana and expert member Satyagopal Korlapati, said the Madras High Court had earlier ordered status quo on the CRZ stretch, and this order would continue to remain in effect. At the same time, it clarified that the government was free to carry on with other parts of the road project that did not fall within the CRZ or on the disputed riverbank area. The Bench also asked the State Highways Department to examine the possibility of realigning the road through the premises of Dr. M.G.R. Janaki College of Arts and Science. It observed that if the road was built entirely within the college compound, the residents would likely have no further objections. The WRD has also been asked to clearly state whether the sand dumping was being done solely for strengthening the river bund or if it also serves the road construction. Until this is explained, no work can be carried out on the affected stretch along the river, the Bench added, and posted the matter for further hearing on July 30.
Time of India
19-06-2025
- General
- Time of India
22 sea-facing buildings on ECR face demolition after CRZ violations flagged
Chennai: As many as 22 beach-facing residential buildings in Muttukadu on East Coast Road (ECR) face the threat of demolition, with the Chengalpattu district administration identifying them as violators of Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) rules. The identified buildings—some completed, others still under construction—are located within the No Development Zone (NDZ) of CRZ III, where permanent structures are banned within 200 metres of the High Tide Line. At least six of these were found to be under construction even during the inspection, indicating ongoing activity despite regulatory restrictions. Others are upscale, completed buildings, with some even having two floors, built along the fragile coastal stretch at Muttukadu. These findings were part of an Action Taken Report submitted by Chengalpattu Collector S Arunraj to the National Green Tribunal (NGT), which took suo motu cognisance of the matter. The collector's team, comprising revenue and environmental officials, carried out GPS-tagged inspections and submitted photographs and ownership details to the Tamil Nadu State Coastal Zone Management Authority (TNSCZMA) to initiate action. The case, heard on Thursday, saw the tribunal's expert member Satyagopal Korlapati ask pointed questions on why no demolition was initiated so far, given that violations were already acknowledged by the administration. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Trade Bitcoin & Ethereum – No Wallet Needed! IC Markets Start Now Undo The NGT also noted that the District Collector, as chairman of the district coastal zone management authority (DCZMA), was expected to act decisively against such illegal developments. In response, the state coastal zone management authority (SCZMA) informed the bench that it forwarded the list of violators to the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, seeking clarification on whether it had the authority to directly carry out demolitions. The NGT is now expected to decide on whether demolition can proceed without waiting for further directions from the Centre. The matter is likely to be taken up in the coming weeks.
The Hindu
17-06-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Immediately publicise ban on Plaster of Paris idols, NGT tells TNPCB
The southern bench of the National Green Tribunal has criticised the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board for failing to publicise awareness campaigns on the guidelines for using eco-friendly idols. The bench, comprising Justice Pushpa Sathyanarayana and expert member Satyagopal Korlapati, said the Board was taking a 'backseat' in enforcing environmental regulations and also urged it to clearly specify penalties for those who violate the rules by immersing Plaster of Paris (PoP) idols in waterbodies. In its order passed January 24, 2024, the bench directed a committee to meet at least six months before Vinayagar Chaturthi each year to ensure proper planning, including the creation of artificial tanks, early notification of waterbodies, and prevention of PoP idol manufacture. When the case came up for compliance reporting on Tuesday, the bench questioned whether any posters had been displayed outlining the do's and don'ts to prevent the manufacture of idols made from PoP and other harmful materials. With a little over two months to go for the festival, the bench also asked if steps had been taken to restrict the entry of such idols from neighbouring States. In response, the counsel representing the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board TNPCB requested additional time to submit a report. The bench stressed that festivals should not contribute to environmental degradation. The bench suggested that makeshift waterbodies could be created where feasible, and a fee should be imposed for idol immersion. 'Let people immerse idols in a bucket of water, their own wells (if water is available), or in temporary waterbodies,' the bench recommended. It directed the TNPCB to submit an action-taken report by June 30, and to raise public awareness by publishing the do's and don'ts in newspapers. The Board was also instructed to announce penalties for violators.
The Hindu
10-06-2025
- The Hindu
Kerala shipwreck: NGT seeks Tamil Nadu government's report on plastic nurdle spill as debris reaches Dhanushkodi
The Southern Bench of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed the Tamil Nadu government to file a report on the clean-up operation done after plastic nurdles from a cargo ship that sunk off the Kochi coast on May 25, reached as far as Dhanushkodi. The NGT Principal Bench has already taken cognizance of the matter that involves the Liberia-flagged vessel MSC Elsa 3, which sank roughly 38 nautical miles southwest of Kochi. The ship was carrying more than 600 containers, including cargo filled with tiny plastic pellets known as nurdles. It was also carrying hazardous materials, such as calcium carbide and oil, which could affect the marine and coastal environment and the biodiversity and water quality of the area. On Tuesday (June 10, 2025), the Bench, comprising Justice Pushpa Sathyanarayana and expert member Satyagopal Korlapati, questioned State counsel about the steps taken in response. 'The nurdles have floated till Dhanushkodi. What actions have been taken so far,' Justice Sathyanarayana asked. The Bench also took note of the June 9 internal container explosion on a Singapore-flagged cargo ship going from Colombo to Mumbai. The Bench expressed concern over the possibility of oil leakage and debris dispersal. The State government has been directed to file a detailed response outlining the immediate measures taken to manage the nurdle spill and prevent further ecological damage.
The Hindu
10-06-2025
- The Hindu
NGT seeks Tamil Nadu government's report on plastic nurdle spill from sunken ship as debris reaches Dhanushkodi
The Southern Bench of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed the Tamil Nadu government to file a report on the clean-up operation done after plastic nurdles from a cargo ship that sunk off the Kochi coast reached as far as Dhanushkodi. The NGT Principal Bench has already taken cognizance of the matter that involves the Liberia-flagged vessel MSC Elsa 3, which sank roughly 38 nautical miles southwest of Kochi. The ship was carrying more than 600 containers, including cargo filled with tiny plastic pellets known as nurdles. It was also carrying hazardous materials, such as calcium carbide and oil, which could affect the marine and coastal environment and the biodiversity and water quality of the area. On Tuesday, the Bench, comprising Justice Pushpa Sathyanarayana and expert member Satyagopal Korlapati, questioned State counsel about the steps taken in response. 'The nurdles have floated till Dhanushkodi. What actions have been taken so far,' Justice Sathyanarayana asked. The Bench also took note of the June 9 internal container explosion on a Singapore-flagged cargo ship going from Colombo to Mumbai. The Bench expressed concern over the possibility of oil leakage and debris dispersal. The State government has been directed to file a detailed response outlining the immediate measures taken to manage the nurdle spill and prevent further ecological damage.
