The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed the Odisha State Pollution Control Board (OSPCB) to collect ₹1.2 crore in environmental compensation from a private contractor for illegal morrum mining during construction work on the Bhadrak–Nirgundi third railway line.
The NGT’s East Zone Bench in Kolkata issued the order on May 2, after a joint committee comprising officials from the mining, forest, pollution control, and district administration departments confirmed unauthorized morrum and laterite extraction in Tangi-Choudwar tehsil, Cuttack district.
The case was initiated following a petition by local residents who raised alarm over rampant illegal mining activities. The committee’s investigation found that the contractor lacked mandatory environmental clearances and had previously paid ₹4 lakh as royalty and penalty for similar violations—prompting the tribunal to label the firm a “habitual offender.”
The East Coast Railway (ECoR) acknowledged hiring the contractor for earthwork and minor bridge construction between Byree and Kapilas Road, but the State Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA) clarified no environmental clearance was issued for mining activities in the area.
While the contractor attempted to deflect blame onto other firms, the NGT rejected the argument, noting the evidence solely pointed to the named contractor. As a precaution, the tribunal issued an interim ban on any further excavation by the firm until the case reaches a conclusion.
Although a higher fine of ₹42.45 crore was initially proposed, the tribunal limited the penalty to ₹1.2 crore specifically for the illegal morrum extraction. The contractor has until July 11 to file a counter-affidavit.
The NGT bench, led by Justice B Amit Sthalekar and Dr. Satyagopal Korlapati, emphasized the importance of preventing environmental degradation during ongoing infrastructure projects.
