NGT issues notice to Centre, J&K Govt over alleged environmental violations at Kwar Project

Kishtwar, Sep 17: The National Green Tribunal (NGT), Principal Bench, New Delhi, has sought responses from the Centre, Jammu and Kashmir authorities and Chenab Valley Power Projects Pvt. Ltd. (CVPPL) on a petition alleging environmental violations and damage linked to construction activities at the 540-MW Kwar Hydroelectric Power Project in Kishtwar.
A Bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava, along with Expert Member Dr Afroz Ahmad, issued notices to the Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change; Secretary, Ministry of New and Renewable Energy; Chairperson, Central Pollution Control Board; Chairperson, J&K Pollution Control Committee; Chief Secretary, J&K; Deputy Commissioner, Kishtwar; and Managing Director, CVPPL. The matter has been listed for November 30, 2026.
The proceedings arise from Original Application No. 348/2026 filed by Guddu Kumar and Sanjay Kumar on behalf of people of Halqa Panchayat Padyarna in Nagseni block of Kishtwar. The applicants have alleged that construction-related activities associated with the project are causing environmental degradation and affecting nearby habitation.
During the hearing, Advocate Muzzaffar Ali Shah submitted that construction of the project involved alleged violations of environmental norms, including dumping of excavated muck on slopes, with the applicants claiming that such dumping was affecting the Chenab River and its basin. The applicants relied on photographs placed before the Tribunal in support of their allegations.
The petition also raises concerns over alleged extensive blasting in the project area. According to the submissions recorded before the Tribunal, repeated blasting has caused vibrations and cracks in residential structures in areas including Sumna Bhatta, Pullar and Padyarna. The applicants have alleged that cracks have appeared in walls and foundations of houses, raising concerns over the safety of people and property.
The petition further alleges that stone crushers, heavy vehicular movement and continuing construction activities have contributed to dust emissions in surrounding areas.
According to the applicants, the concerns had earlier been brought before the Deputy Commissioner, Kishtwar through a representation submitted on May 5, 2025, followed by a reminder on July 9, 2025. They said the Deputy Commissioner’s office subsequently directed CVPPL to submit a detailed report within three days, but alleged that no effective remedial action followed.
The applicants have also referred to the Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) Risk Management Plan for Kishtwar, particularly its Clause 5, and submitted before the NGT that the report had already identified high GLOF risk in connection with dam construction.
The Tribunal, after considering the submissions, observed that the application raises a substantial issue concerning compliance with environmental norms and directed that notices be issued to the concerned authorities and project developer.
The NGT has not, at this stage, adjudicated the allegations on their merits. The notices seek responses from the concerned authorities and CVPPL before the matter is taken up on November 30.
Official NGT material in earlier Kishtwar proceedings has also documented concerns over unregulated muck dumping, including the risk of excavated material entering rivers and water bodies, underscoring the broader environmental management issues associated with construction activity in the district. [KNT]