NGT Mandates Personal Appearance of Odisha Officials in Quarry Dispute
The east zone bench of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has issued a directive requiring the personal appearance of key environmental officials from Odisha. This order pertains to a contentious case that challenges the grant of environmental clearance for a stone quarry located in Dhenkanal district.
Bench Emphasizes Need for Official Presence
In a significant ruling dated February 24 and made public on February 27, the bench, comprising judicial member Arun Kumar Tyagi and expert member Ishwar Singh, stated that the presence of the member secretaries of the State Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA), Odisha, and the Odisha State Pollution Control Board (OSPCB) is crucial. They emphasized that this step is essential for ensuring a fair and thorough adjudication of the issues involved in the case.
The bench explicitly ordered, "In view of the facts and circumstances of the case, we consider personal appearance of the member secretary, SEIAA, Odisha and the member secretary, OSPCB before this tribunal to be essential for assisting this tribunal in just and proper adjunction of the questions involved in the case." Furthermore, they directed these officials to be present physically or via video conferencing at the next hearing, bringing all relevant records with them.
Background of the Appeal
This directive emerged during the consideration of an appeal filed by local resident Sanjib Dhal. He is contesting the environmental clearance granted on December 29, 2025, to a private lessee for the Tolarpasi road metal (black stone) quarry. This quarry spans 12.25 acres under Gondia tehsil in Dhenkanal. Advocates Sankar Prasad Pani and Ashutosh Padhy represented Dhal in the proceedings.
The bench admitted the appeal, noting, "Prima facie there is no ground to dismiss the appeal at this stage and the present first appeal being a matter of right under the provisions of the National Green Tribunal Act, 2010, is admitted for hearing." The case has been scheduled for further hearing on March 10, 2026.
Allegations of Non-Compliance and Environmental Harm
In his appeal, Dhal argued that the environmental clearance was issued without adhering to an earlier NGT order from October 13, 2025. That order had instructed SEIAA, Odisha, and the deputy director of mines (Talcher) to address his grievances as a representation and make appropriate decisions within three months.
Dhal raised serious allegations against the lessee, including illegal blasting, excessive mining, and unauthorized vegetation clearance. He claimed that the operator, "in collusion with government authorities has been operating most of the stone quarries in the areas and responsible for damage to the local ecology and environment." Additionally, the appeal highlights that the quarry has already reached its maximum permissible depth of six metres, raising further environmental concerns.
Notices Issued to Multiple Parties
As part of the proceedings, the bench has issued notices to several key parties, seeking their responses. These include the chief secretary, the collector and district magistrate of Dhenkanal, the deputy director of mines (Talcher), and the private lessee, alongside the member secretaries of SEIAA and OSPCB. This broad scope underscores the tribunal's commitment to a comprehensive review of the case.
The NGT's intervention in this matter reflects ongoing efforts to enforce environmental regulations and protect local ecosystems from potential harm caused by industrial activities. The personal appearance order aims to ensure accountability and facilitate a transparent legal process.
