NGT closes fresh plea on Satluj muck dumping at Sunni dam, cites earlier probe and penalty
Shimla, Dec 18,
The Principal Bench of the National Green Tribunal (NGT), New Delhi, has taken cognizance of allegations relating to the dumping of muck into the River Satluj during blasting activities for the Sunni Dam Hydroelectric Project in Himachal Pradesh, but has ultimately disposed of the application after noting that the issue had already been examined earlier .
The matter was registered on the basis of a letter petition submitted by Mahendra Verma, who alleged that muck generated during tunnel blasting for the Sunni Dam project in Tehsil Sunni of Shimla district was being dumped into the river, causing environmental pollution. The Tribunal exercised its suo motu jurisdiction in line with the Supreme Court’s ruling in Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai vs. Ankita Sinha (2022). The applicant appeared in person and placed newspaper reports and photographs on record.
During the hearing, the NGT observed that similar allegations concerning the same project had already been raised earlier in Original Application No. 363/2023, filed by another local resident. In that case, a Joint Committee comprising the Himachal Pradesh Pollution Control Board (HPPCB) and the District Forest Officer, Shimla, had conducted inspections and submitted a factual report. Based on the findings, environmental compensation of Rs. 5 lakh was imposed on the project proponent for multiple dumping sites, and directions were issued to ensure compliance with environmental safeguards.
The Tribunal noted that the earlier proceedings were concluded through a subsequent miscellaneous application, wherein the HPPCB was directed to monitor compliance and take further action as required. In this background, the Bench held that a fresh application raising similar grievances, without clearly specifying the exact locations of alleged violations, was not maintainable.
However, the NGT granted liberty to the applicant to approach the Member Secretary of the HPPCB with a detailed and specific complaint. The pollution control authority has been directed to take action in accordance with law if such a complaint is filed.
The order was pronounced on December 18, 2025, by Judicial Member Justice Arun Kumar Tyagi and Expert Member Dr. Afroz Ahmad, reiterating that environmental issues must be addressed through proper procedural channels to avoid duplication of proceedings
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