The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has ordered a joint investigation into allegations of illegal sand mining and environmental norm violations at a sand quarry on the Rushikulya river in Ganjam district, while issuing notices to key state authorities and regulatory agencies.
Petition Filed by Local Residents
The NGT's east zone bench passed the order while hearing a petition filed by Tuna Das and Rajani Kanta Padhy on May 26. The petition alleged widespread irregularities in mining operations at the Bhimpur sand bed, which spans 10.425 acres under Purushottampur tehsil. The order was released online on Monday.
The petitioners sought cancellation of the environmental clearance and Consent to Operate granted to the private lessee, besides demanding criminal action, recovery of environmental compensation, and assessment of the total quantity of sand extracted from the site. Advocates Sankar Prasad Pani and Ashutosh Padhy made submissions on behalf of the petitioner through video conferencing.
Committee Constituted for Investigation
Observing that the allegations raised “substantial questions relating to the environment,” the bench, comprising judicial member Arun Kumar Tyagi and expert member Ishwar Singh, constituted a committee comprising representatives of the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Odisha State Pollution Control Board (OSPCB), and the Ganjam administration. The panel has been directed to visit the site, examine the allegations, interact with stakeholders, and recommend remedial measures within a month. The district magistrate of Ganjam will act as the nodal officer for coordination.
The bench also issued notices to the chief secretary, Ganjam collector, deputy director of mines, Purushottampur tehsildar, OSPCB, SEIAA, ORSAC, and the lessee, directing them to file responses within one month. The matter has been posted for further hearing on July 23.
Allegations of Violations
According to the petition, the lessee has been using excavators and heavy vehicles for mining operations despite restrictions on mechanised sand extraction. The petitioners alleged that mining activity was not confined to the approved lease area and spread over nearly 48 acres, including locations at Ashoknagar and Burutulu. They further claimed that excavation altered the river’s natural flow and violated provisions of the Sustainable Sand Mining Guidelines, 2016, and the Enforcement and Monitoring Guidelines for Sand Mining, 2020, along with other environmental regulations.
The plea also flagged the alleged absence of GPS-based vehicle tracking, CCTV monitoring, and electronic transit pass systems, which are mandated under mining regulations. It alleged that overloaded trucks transporting sand through village roads were causing dust pollution and inconvenience to residents.
The NGT's intervention underscores the growing concerns over illegal sand mining and its environmental impact in Odisha. The committee's report is expected to shed light on the extent of violations and recommend necessary actions to prevent further damage to the river ecosystem.
