The East Zone Bench of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has constituted a joint committee to look into allegations of environmental pollution and groundwater contamination resulting from chromite mining operations in Odisha's Jajpur district.
Committee Formation and Investigation
The bench, comprising judicial member Arun Kumar Tyagi and expert member Ishwar Singh, directed the panel to inspect the Sukarangi and South Kaliapani chromite mines located in Sukinda tehsil. The committee will verify allegations of illegal and unscientific dumping of mining overburden by the Odisha Mining Corporation (OMC).
The order, released online on Monday, was issued in response to a petition filed by Kailash Chandra Nayak. The petitioner alleged that untreated run-off water from the mines was being discharged into the Damsala nala, leading to contamination of surface and groundwater with hexavalent chromium. This carcinogenic substance is linked to serious health risks.
Advocates Sankar Prasad Pani and Ashutosh Padh presented submissions on behalf of the petitioner.
Tribunal's Observations and Directives
The tribunal noted that the allegations raised "substantial questions relating to environment" under the provisions of the National Green Tribunal Act, 2010, and required further examination. The committee has been asked to convene within two weeks, conduct field visits, examine the grievances raised in the petition, and recommend remedial measures if violations are found.
The panel has been directed to include the petitioner and representatives of the project proponent during the inquiry. The Jajpur District Magistrate will serve as the nodal agency for coordination and compliance.
Reporting Timeline and Next Hearing
The joint committee has been instructed to submit its report within one month from receipt of the order. The matter has been scheduled for further hearing on August 19, 2026.
The NGT also ordered its registry to issue notices to the Odisha chief secretary, divisional forest officer of Cuttack, deputy director of mines in Jajpur, regional director of the Central Ground Water Board in Bhubaneswar, and the Odisha Mining Corporation.
During the hearing, advocate Papiya Banerjee Bihani accepted notice on behalf of the Odisha State Pollution Control Board (OSPCB). Advocates Surender Kumar and Ashok Prasad accepted notice on behalf of the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and the Director General of Mines Safety, respectively. The respondents have been granted two months to file their replies.
