NGT issues notices to Odisha govt authorities over alleged illegal laterite quarrying in Khurda

CUTTACK: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has issued notices to multiple Odisha government authorities over alleged illegal laterite stone extraction and tree felling at Ramachandrapur in Khurda district.The order by NGT’s East Zone Bench came while hearing a petition filed by Madhusudan Palai and two other residents of Khurda district.The petition alleged that illegal quarrying activities began at Ramachandrapur Laterite Stone Quarry-2 in January without obtaining mandatory statutory clearances. Advocates Sankar Prasad Pani and Ashutosh Padhy made submissions on behalf of the petitioners.Taking note of the submissions and material on record the bench comprising judicial member Arun Kumar Tyagi and expert member Dr A Senthil Vel observed : “Prima facie the averments made in the application raise substantial questions relating to environment arising out of the implementation of the enactments specified in Schedule-I to the National Green Tribunal Act, 2010.”

Accordingly, the tribunal issued notices to the chief secretary of Odisha, Khurda collector and district magistrate, director of mines and geology, tehsildar of Tangi, deputy director of mines (Khurda Circle), member secretary of the Odisha State Pollution Control Board, member secretary of the State Environment Impact Assessment Authority and the superintendent of police, Khurda. The order issued on March 11 was uploaded on March 14.

The respondents have been directed to file their replies within four weeks. The matter has been posted for further hearing on April 16.According to the petition, the deputy director of mines, Khurda Circle, had issued an advertisement on September 12, 2025 for auction of eight quarries, including Ramachandrapur Laterite Stone Quarry-1 and Quarry-2. The successful bidder of Quarry-2 allegedly started clearing the land and felling trees at the site on January 11, 2026 without securing environmental clearance, consent to establish (CTE), consent to operate (CTO), lease agreement or transit permits.Seeking intervention, the petitioners urged the tribunal to constitute a committee to assess environmental damage, quantify the volume of morrum and laterite stone allegedly extracted illegally and determine the market value, restoration cost and environmental compensation to be recovered from the private respondents.They also sought directions to fix responsibility of government officials for alleged inaction and to prosecute those involved in illegal mining. The plea further requested the tribunal to direct authorities to restore the affected land and undertake plantation.