Order of the National Green Tribunal in the matter of Bharat Jhunjhunwala & Others Vs Inland Waterways Authority & Others dated 02/09/2021.
The issue for consideration was whether EIA is necessary for navigation infrastructure in the river Ganga in the stretch from Allahabad to Haldia also known as the National Waterway 1 (NW1) undertaken by Inland Waterways Authority of India. The project envisages developmental activities such as river terminal, jetties and locks and barrages and 4 multimodal river water terminals along with necessary dredging operations. It is estimated to cost ₹4,200 crores and is likely to take 6 years to be completed.
The NGT, January 10, 2020 sought a report from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) on the requirement of EIA - which was not furnished till date.
The NGT, September 2, 2021 was informed that the matter might be within the purview of the Ministry of Jal Shakti instead of MoEF&CC and thus notice would be issued to the Ministry of Jal Shakti as well as the MoEF&CC for their views on the matter.
Links:
[1] http://admin.indiaenvironmentportal.org.in/content/order-national-green-tribunal-regarding-eia-navigation-infrastructure-river-ganga-02092021
[2] http://www.indiaenvironmentportal.org.in/files/file/infrastructure-Ganga-EIA-NGT-order-Sep2-2021.pdf
[3] http://admin.indiaenvironmentportal.org.in/category/thesaurus/ganga
[4] http://admin.indiaenvironmentportal.org.in/category/thesaurus/environment-impact-assessment-eia
[5] http://admin.indiaenvironmentportal.org.in/category/thesaurus/infrastructure-development
[6] http://admin.indiaenvironmentportal.org.in/thesaurus/national-green-tribunal-ngt
[7] http://admin.indiaenvironmentportal.org.in/category/thesaurus/court
[8] http://admin.indiaenvironmentportal.org.in/category/thesaurus/ministry-environment-and-forest-moef
[9] http://admin.indiaenvironmentportal.org.in/category/thesaurus/inland-waterways