Kalas Mahal may be NGT’s new office

The Madras High Court has already directed the NGT to constitute a third bench, to exclusively hear the cases from LoEA. “The 1,29,000 cases from LoEA have been transferred to the NGT, on the direction of Madras High Court. Once the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MOEFCC) gives the approval, the third bench will be immediately constituted to hear these cases,” said Justice P Jyothimani, Judicial Member, NGT, on Wednesday at a press conference on announcement of regional conference on environment to take place in the city. 

An order from the Supreme Court on August 28, 1996 after a petition from the Vellore Citizens Welfare Forum saw the setting up of the LoEA. This environmental authority was formed to offer compensation to the farmers, whose lands have been affected due to the pollution caused by the tanneries and other industries on the Palar river bed. 

The NGT, which was formed in 2012, will soon move to its new quarters in Kalas Mahal. “Since it is a heritage building, the PWD is restoring it. The building will most likely be ready to occupy after a month. It will have sufficient space, with an advocates room and a public waiting area,” added Justice Jyothimani. The staff from LoEA will be absorbed into the NGT. 

The tribunal has intervened to stop several violations, including building of groynes on Kovalam, restraining the PWD from laying a road in the Porur Lake and also took suo moto action on water packaging units selling sub-standard water, bringing it to the attention of the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB).