ARINDAM GANGULY, OP
Nayagada/Bhubaneswar: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has constituted a joint committee to probe allegations of illegal stone extraction, blasting and crushing activities in Nayagada district, official sources said Wednesday.
Hearing a petition filed by Santosh Pradhan of Nayagada, the Eastern Zone Bench of the environment watchdog formed the joint committee, comprising representatives of the Odisha State Pollution Control Board (OSPCB) and the District Collector and District Magistrate of Nayagada, and directed it to investigate the factual position and recommend appropriate remedial measures.
According to the application, M/s Laxmi Stone Crusher had been granted Consent to Establish July 19, 2022, for operations on Plot No. 459 under Khata No. 159/146 at Ameinmunhi Mouza in Nayagada district, covering an area of 2.04 acres, with a production capacity of 40,500 cu bic metres per annum of stone chips, metals, bajuri and dust.
The company also obtained the Consent to Operate from the OS PCB January 20, 2023, with validity till March 31, 2027.
However, the petitioner alleged that the project proponent was carrying out stone extraction from Plot Nos. 464 and 467 without obtaining the required Environmental Clearance, Consent to Establish and Consent to Operate for the said plots.
The petitioner has sought directions to permanently stop and restrain the alleged illegal stone quarrying, blasting and crushing operations and also sought revocation of the Consent to Operate issued to the crusher unit.
The petition sought a scientific assessment by the Odisha Space Applications Centre (ORSAC) to determine the total volume of minerals allegedly illegally excavated and stacked at the disputed plots and adjoining areas.
During the hearing September 1, the bench comprising Justice Arun Kumar Tyagi, Judicial Member, and Dr A Senthil Vel and Ishwar Singh, Expert Members, observed that the allegations raised substantial questions relating to the environment under the enactments specified in Schedule-I of the National Green Tribunal Act, 2010.
It directed the joint committee to meet within two weeks, visit the site and examine the grievances raised by the petitioner.
The joint committee has also been asked to associate the petitioner and a representative of the concerned project proponent during the inquiry, verify the factual position and suggest appropriate remedial action.
The OSPCB has been designated as the nodal agency for coordination and compliance.
The joint committee has been directed to submit its report to the tribunal within two months.
In this connection, the NGT has also sought responses from respondents, including the Deputy Director of Mines, Phulbani, and SEIAA Odisha, within two months.
The matter has been listed for further consideration November 18, 2026.
The tribunal will also hear arguments on the petitioner’s prayer for interim injunctive relief on the same date.
