NGT pulls up NHIDCL for constructing NH 54 in Mizoram without approvals, damaging environment

In a significant order, the Eastern bench of NGT comprising of Justice Amit Sthalekar and Expert Member Dr Afroz Ahmed has pulled up the National Highway and Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd (NHIDCL) for carrying out construction work of National Highway 54 in Mizoram without the final approval from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and damaging the environment.

The Eastern Bench has further said that NHIDCL’s act of randomly disposing off debris and waste from the construction activities is damaging the ecology, bio-diversity and threatening the rivers too.

The Bench was hearing a petition filed by environment activist Pi Vamramchhuangi. In her petition filed through Advocate Gaurav Kumar Bansal, Pi Vamramchhuangi stated that NHIDCL which has been assigned the task of “Widening and Upgradation of NH-54” is not only doing irregular muck disposal but is also constructing the road without having the final approval from the Union Forest Ministry.

Advocate Bansal, while arguing for the petitioner, apprised the NGT Bench that NHIDCL while constructing NH 54, is illegally and randomly disposing off the debris and waste without a proper waste disposal and management plan.
Advocate Bansal also pointed out that the Mizoram Forest Department, on different dates, had issued around 4 Stay Orders to NHIDCL to stop the illegal construction of the road. But NHIDCL has paid no heed and continues to carry on with the construction work without the approvals.

Observing that the case at hand is of serious nature and the fact that illegal muck disposal will damage the ecology and biodiversity of the state, the Eastern Bench has directed NHIDCL to take cognisance of the stay orders and act accordingly.

The Bench has directed the Union Forest Ministry, NHIDCL, Mizoram state government and the Mizoram Forest Department to file their reply within 4 weeks.

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