Setback To Govt: NGT Imposes Curbs On Balijatra River Front Improvement Project in Cuttack

Cuttack: In a setback to the state government, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has imposed restrictions on its proposed Balijatra River Front Improvement (BARFI) project in Odisha’s Cuttack city.

After consideration of an expert committee’s report on the BARFI, the NGT has ruled that no concrete work can be taken up in 426 acre land identified for the project. It has also rejected the government’s master plan for development of plod plain zone on Mahanadi river banks.

The Tribunal, in its order, stated that only 34 acre of land on the river bank can be reserved for Bali Jatra in the city. The government would take up the responsibility of keeping the environment clean and unaffected in the marked area.

In the rest 392 acre, the NGT directed to develop forest and set up biological park. Stating that around two thirds of the area should have dense forest, it asked the government to identify the area and hand it over to the Forest department.

The government cannot construct any permanent structure in the rest one third area or use it for commercial purpose. However, it can be used for development of parks or playground, the Tribunal stated.

Since around 38 villages located close to the river bank are prone to flood, the government should take up measures to protect those villages, the NGT said in the ruling.

It may be noted that the Tribunal had formed the 7-member expert committee to look into separate two complaints filed with it. The complaints alleged that the government had buried the river banks for development of the project in violation of NGT norms. The committee had visited the spot and submitted its report to the Tribunal earlier.