NGT orders joint inspection of Polavaram dam site

NEW DELHI: The National Green Tribunal has ordered a joint inspection of the Polavaram dam construction site by the Andhra Pradesh government, state pollution control board and Polavaram Project Authority following a complaint about dumping of mud in the West Godavari district.

The directive from a bench headed by NGT chief Justice Swatanter Kumar came while disposing of a plea by activist P Pullarao. The complainant, appearing through advocate Sravan Kumar, had sought directions to the state government to stop mud dumping in villages along West Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh for construction of the dam.

"In view of the course of action that we propose to adopt, in the facts and circumstances of the present case, we do not propose to issue notice to the Respondents. It is not necessary for us to notice the facts of the case in any greater details or even to issue notice either.

"We dispose of this application with a direction to the State Pollution Control Board, State of Andhra Pradesh and Polavaram Project Authority to conduct joint inspection and pass appropriate directions in the interest of environment and ecology," the bench said.

Earlier, Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar had told the Lok Sabha that an area of 3427.52 hectares of forest land will be inundated and around two lakh acres was likely to be submerged as a result of execution of the project.