Mangalore Today

NGT Halts Riverfront Construction by Mangaluru Smart City Limited in CRZ Area

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, June 2, 2024: The National Green Tribunal (NGT), Southern Zone, Chennai, has ordered Mangaluru Smart City Limited (MSCL) to halt work on the riverfront side within the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) area under the Netravathi waterfront promenade project in Mangaluru until the next hearing.

This interim order was issued following a complaint by the National Environment Care Federation (NECF). The NGT emphasized that although the restriction applies only to riverfront work, any violation of the imposed conditions will lead to the removal of structures and potentially heavy penalties.

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Previously, the NGT had directed the formation of a joint committee to provide a detailed report on the project. The committee members were instructed to submit this report by June 24, warning that failure to do so would result in personal financial penalties.

The Karnataka State Coastal Zone Management Authority (KSCZMA) confirmed that MSCL had conducted some work in violation of the NoC conditions, particularly on the riverfront side within the CRZ area. KSCZMA officials inspected the site on May 30 and found that construction had occurred in the CRZ-IB area, breaching the NoC conditions.

The applicant provided photographs showing these violations, including timestamps and location details, demonstrating ongoing construction in the CRZ area and damage to the mangrove forest.

The Tribunal expressed displeasure with the Joint Committee, established by the Principal Bench of the NGT, for failing to submit a report. The National Centre for Coastal Research (NCCR) had not nominated a member to the committee, and the NGT criticized the lack of action by the Deputy Commissioner of Dakshina Kannada (DK DC), a member and nodal officer of the Joint Committee, to secure this nomination.

The Tribunal warned that non-cooperation from the NCCR would be taken very seriously, and prosecution could be initiated against the responsible authority.