NGT orders report on environmental norms violation at Rushikonda hill

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NEW DELHI: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) constituted a four-member committee on Tuesday, December 22, to investigate potential environmental violations during building work on the Rushikonda Hill near Visakhapatnam.

In an order issued on December 17, 2021, the bench led by Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel declared, “We believe that it is necessary to verify the factual position by forming an independent four-member committee including individuals from committee of Central Pollution Control Board; District Magistrate, Visakhapatnam etc.”

Andhra Pradesh’s State Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA) will serve as the central point for coordination and compliance. The committee may meet within two weeks, conduct site visits, consult with stakeholders, and take corrective measures in accordance with the legislation, according to the bench.

The court’s order came during a hearing on a case filed by Raghu Ramakrishna Raju Kanumuru, who claimed that the Department of Urban Development, Government of Andhra Pradesh, had violated the Master Plan declared under the Andhra Pradesh Urban Development Areas Act of 1975.