NGT-appointed joint committee inspects alleged violations in Netravathi riverside works

A joint committee constituted as per the orders of the National Green Tribunal to look into allegations of violation of Coastal Regulation Zone norms during implementation of the Netravathi riverside project on Tuesday carried out an inspection visit to the project sites.

The NGT headquarters had, on March 5, ordered the constitution of the committee on a report by a web portal and the December 13, 2023 letter of the National Environment Protection Federation, Mangaluru, alleging irregularities in the execution of the project. The report had also alleged that the project was leading to loss of livelihoods of many people.

As the Dakshina Kannada district administration failed to arrange an inspection by the committee, the Southern Bench of NGT in Chennai on May 31 issued an interim order restraining the implementing agency, Mangaluru Smart City Ltd. (MSCL), to undertake work on the riverside project. the next court date, July 2. The bench had also directed the deputy commissioner to arrange for the inspection of the joint committee at the earliest.

Four members

Including Dakshina Kannada Deputy Commissioner MP Mullai Muhilan, the committee had four members: R. Sridhar, Scientist D, Regional Office of Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change, Bengaluru; T. Mahima, Scientist E, Bengaluru Regional Directorate of Central Pollution Control Board; and Sathya Kiran Raju, Scientist, National Center for Coastal Research, Chennai.

After the first meeting at the district office, the committee members visited the construction sites near Netravathi Bridge, Mangalore Club, Mulihithlu and Bolara Sea Face. MSCL Managing Director KS Arunprabha explained the components of the project to the members.

He said no permanent structure was being erected on the river bank and a pedestrian overbridge and a cycle path were being provided besides other temporary facilities. MSCL has followed all the guidelines issued by the authorities concerned for the project which aims to bring people closer to the river, he said.

Private violations

While the NECF had alleged violation of CRZ norms by MSCL, the committee members faced violations of the norms by some individuals who had filled the river bed with soil for commercial activities.

MSCL said the project does not encroach on the river bank; instead protects the bank with the retaining wall.

When a NECF representative said the committee had not invited the federation for an inspection, Mr Muhilan said the NGT had not issued such instructions. “We are conducting the inspection as per the instructions of the NGT and will submit the report to the court,” he said.