NGT Directs Personal Appearance of Odisha Environmental Officials in Stone Quarry Case
The East Zone Bench of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has issued a significant directive requiring the personal appearance of senior environmental officials from Odisha. This order comes in response to a case challenging the grant of environmental clearance (EC) to a stone quarry located in Dhenkanal district.
Official Summons for Key Authorities
In a formal order dated February 24 and uploaded on February 27, the NGT Bench specifically mandated the physical or virtual presence of the Member Secretary of the State Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA), Odisha, and the Member Secretary of the Odisha State Pollution Control Board (OSPCB). The Bench, comprising Judicial Member Arun Kumar Tyagi and Expert Member Ishwar Singh, emphasized that their appearance is essential for proper adjudication of the complex environmental questions involved in this case.
The Bench explicitly stated: "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." The officials have been instructed to appear with all relevant records during the next hearing.
Background of the Environmental Challenge
This directive emerged during consideration of an appeal filed by local resident Sanjib Dhal against the Environmental Clearance granted on December 29, 2025. The clearance was issued to a private lessee for the Tolarpasi Road Metal (Black Stone) Quarry, which spans approximately 12.25 acres in Gondia tehsil, Dhenkanal district. Advocates Sankar Prasad Pani and Ashutosh Padhy represented Dhal during the proceedings.
The NGT Bench admitted the appeal for hearing, noting that "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 proceedings on March 10, 2026.
Substantial Allegations Against the Quarry Operation
In his detailed appeal, Dhal presented multiple serious allegations regarding the quarry's operations and the environmental clearance process. He contended that the EC was issued without proper compliance with the Tribunal's earlier order from October 13, 2025. That previous directive had instructed SEIAA, Odisha and the Deputy Director of Mines, Talcher, to address his grievances as a formal representation and issue appropriate orders within a three-month timeframe.
The appeal further alleges:
- Illegal blasting activities at the quarry site
- Excessive mining beyond permitted limits
- Unauthorized vegetation clearance
- Collusion between the quarry operator and government authorities
- Significant damage to local ecology and environment
- Excavation reaching the maximum permissible depth of six metres
Dhal specifically 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."
Broad Notices Issued to Multiple Authorities
In addition to summoning the environmental officials, the NGT Bench has issued formal notices seeking responses from several key authorities and individuals. These include:
- The Chief Secretary of Odisha
- The Collector and District Magistrate of Dhenkanal
- The Deputy Director of Mines, Talcher
- The Member Secretary of SEIAA
- The Member Secretary of the Odisha State Pollution Control Board
- The private lessee operating the quarry
This comprehensive approach indicates the Tribunal's serious consideration of the environmental concerns raised in the appeal and its commitment to thorough examination of all aspects of the case.
