Bhubaneswar, May 11, 2025 (Newshub Desk)— The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has taken firm action against illegal morrum mining in Odisha, directing the Odisha State Pollution Control Board (OSPCB) to collect ₹1.2 crore in environmental compensation from a private contractor.
The penalty comes after investigations confirmed unauthorised mining activities during the construction of the Bhadrak–Nirgundi third railway line.
Following complaints from local residents, a joint investigation comprising officials from the mining, forest, pollution control, and district administration departments uncovered extensive unlawful extraction in Tangi-Choudwar tehsil, Cuttack district.
The contractor was found to lack the required environmental clearances and had previously paid ₹4 lakh in royalty and penalties for similar violations, earning the tribunal’s label as a “habitual offender.”
The East Coast Railway (ECoR), which had hired the contractor for infrastructure work, denied responsibility, stating that mining approvals fell outside their jurisdiction.
Meanwhile, the State Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA) confirmed that no authorisation had been granted for the excavation activities.
Rejecting the contractor’s attempt to shift blame, the tribunal has placed an interim ban on further excavation until the case reaches its final resolution.
While an initial fine of ₹42.45 crore was proposed, the NGT settled on ₹1.2 crore specifically for the illegal morrum extraction.
The contractor has until July 11 to submit a counter-affidavit as the case continues.
The ruling underscores the NGT’s ongoing commitment to environmental preservation, ensuring that infrastructure projects do not come at the cost of ecological degradation.
