Order of the National Green Tribunal in the matter of Amresh Singh Vs Union of India & Others dated 28/06/2021.

The issue for consideration is the remedial action against violation of environmental norms by National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) and its contractors - M/s Gammon India Limited (GIL), the Hindustan Construction Co. Ltd. (HCCL) and M/s Choudhary Power Project Pvt. Ltd. (CPPPL), sub-contractor of M/s GIL and M/s HCCL, in the course of four laning of National Highway from Udhampur to Banihal in Jammu and Kashmir.

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The matter has been considered by this Tribunal during the last four years.

The NGT noted that remedial action required ascertaining change in water quality in terms of increase in turbidity and effect on blockages of streams/ nalla and the river Chenab due to muck disposal.

"If protection of environment cannot be ensured, the Project may have to be halted to prevent damage to the environment by unauthorized muck dumping destroying the overall environment," the NGT order, June 28, 2021 said.

The NGT directed that compliance must be ensured within two months and listed the matter for October 6, 2021.