Order of the National Green Tribunal regarding construction at Mahanadi river bank near Baliyatra ground of Cuttack city, Odisha, 24/04/2024
Order of the National Green Tribunal (Eastern Zone Bench, Kolkata) in the matter of Pradip Kumar Pattnaik Vs Union of India & Others dated 24/04/2024.
The applicant, Pradip Kumar Pattnaik challenged the creation of an artificial concrete island which was obstructing the free flow of perennial water source of river Mahanadi by establishing a cafeteria, food court, liquor bar cum restaurant, paid vehicle parking, paid picnic spot and large area surrounded by concrete wall and also many other constructions are going on at present by dumping and filling up sand and shoals of the riverbed of Mahanadi.
The SEIAA, Odisha in its affidavit said that no environmental clearance was issued (EC) for any type of construction and the area development at Mahanadi river bank near Baliyatra ground of Cuttack City. SEIAA, Odisha said that "most of the points alleged by the petitioner are true."
Justice B Amit Sthalekar expressed surprise as to how Bhakta Ranjan Mohanty, Engineer in-Chief, Water Resources Department, Odisha, has filed his affidavit, March 1, 2024, stating that there is no illegal construction and dumping of waste in the river bed and no damage has been caused to the environment.
The Engineer-in-Chief, Water Resources Department, Odisha was warned by the eastern bench of the NGT to be careful in future before filing false affidavits. The NGT directed the authorities to file a "proper affidavit" in the matter.