NGT stays work on 6 projects of Chhattisgarh govt on Mahanadi

New Delhi: The Wednesday order of National Green Tribunal (NGT), restricting work on six projects across the Mahanadi river by Chhattisgarh government, came as a shot in the arm for Odisha government that had been opposing such constructions.
It was alleged that the Chhattisgarh government had constructed six barrages upstream on the river ‘unilaterally and illegally’ which led to dwindling water flow downstream affecting the farmers and others in Odisha.
According to reports, the green tribunal has directed the neighbouring state to stop work on six grade-A projects till further orders.
Of the 57 projects, work on 51 is in progress while construction of six others is yet to begin. The order pertains to these six projects. Though these projects possess environmental clearance, work on them cannot commence without the permission of the tribunal, the NGT stated.
Social activist Sudarsan Das had moved the green tribunal seeking a stay on the construction. The next hearing is scheduled for August 25.