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On February 10, 2025, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) instructed the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) to provide a new report regarding the floating hotel in Lake Tehri and any measures the authority has implemented.
An application was filed based on the report dated June 14, 2024, submitted by NMCG, in accordance with the NGT order from February 12, 2024.
The orginal suo motu application based on a news item in The Times of India on January 7, 2024 was on the operation of a floating hotel in Tehri Lake despite the expiration of its license, leading to pollution in River Ganga.
NGT had directed NMCG February 12, 2024 to look into the matter and see if such an activity was permissible under the River Ganga (Rejuvenation, Protection and Management) Authorities Order, 2016 and take appropriate action.
In the June 14, 2024 report, NMCG acknowledged that the operation of a floating hotel in the middle of lakes or waterbodies is governed by the River Ganga (Rejuvenation, Protection and Management) Authorities Order, 2016. However, the report does not reveal whether NMCG has taken any action itself.
“If there is no legal impediment and there is no order of any competent court preventing NMCG to take action in accordance with law in terms of the 2016 order, then NMCG is required to ensure compliance of the provisions of the 2016 order,” said the NGT order of February 12, 2025.
The counsel appearing for NMCG sought time to obtain instructions in this regard. NGT has listed the matter for May 1, 2025.
NGT directed the Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board (UPPCB) February 10, 2025 to file a fresh report within six months, disclosing the status of recovery of environmental compensation (EC) amount imposed on two illegal brick kilns and also the status of the two kilns found on re-inspection by the UPPCB officials.
In the original application, the applicant raised concerns about the unlawful operation of brick kilns, specifically AVT ENT Udyog Chakbandi in Pasanpur village, Sadar tehsil, Deoria district, and PMT ENT Bhatta in Gobrai village, Sardar tehsil, Deoria.
The joint committee had submitted the report in respect of both the brick kilns, recording that brick kilns were closed down. The tribunal had thus disposed of the original application by an order dated February 12, 2024, directing UPPCB to impose EC for the past violation.
A report dated June 22, 2024 filed by UPPCB stated that the two brick kilns were inspected by officials of UPPCB on December 12, 2023 and were found to be closed.
It also mentioned that following the issuance of the showcause notice, the UPPCB issued orders on May 31, 2024, imposing an Environmental Compensation of Rs 15,75,000 on AVT ENT Udyog and Rs 14,62,500 on PMT ENT Bhatta.
The court noted that the report submitted by UPPCB does not indicate any action has been taken to recover the imposed EC after the order was passed.
The counsel for UPPCB stated that a request letter or RRC will be sent to the District Magistrate to start the process of recovering the EC amount. He also mentioned that a new inspection of the two units would be carried out to determine if they remain closed or have resumed operations illegally.