NGT Pulls Up Centre, State Over Stalled Restoration of Rudraprayag Stream Damaged by Rail Project
The National Green Tribunal has flagged non-compliance by the Union environment ministry, Uttarakhand Pollution Control Board, RVNL and MEIL over restoring a stream in Rudraprayag's Jawadi village damaged during the Rishikesh-Karnaprayag rail project.
Current Summary
According to a Down To Earth court digest, the National Green Tribunal, headed by Justice Arun Kumar Tyagi, on September 21, 2026 pulled up the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, the Uttarakhand Pollution Control Board (UKPCB), the District Magistrate of Rudraprayag (appearing for the state Chief Secretary), Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL) and Megha Engineering and Infrastructures Ltd (MEIL) for failing to provide adequate information on restoring Chopra Gadhera, a natural freshwater stream in Jawadi village, and on remediating environmental damage caused during construction of the Rishikesh-Karnaprayag rail project. UKPCB had earlier been directed on July 16, 2026 to file an additional action taken report on recovering environmental compensation from RVNL and MEIL for illegally dumping muck in violation of environmental norms, but had not done so. The tribunal noted the Uttarakhand Chief Secretary had been directed to release Rs 2,03,96,111 to a Committee of Experts for the stream's restoration and damage remediation, which also had not been done. Counsels for all parties sought and were granted more time to file responses.
What We Know
- NGT issued the order on September 21, 2026, faulting MoEFCC, UKPCB, the Rudraprayag DM, RVNL and MEIL for inadequate compliance information
- The case concerns damage to Chopra Gadhera stream in Jawadi village during Rishikesh-Karnaprayag rail project construction
- UKPCB has not filed a required additional action taken report on environmental compensation from RVNL and MEIL for illegal muck dumping
- Rs 2,03,96,111 ordered for release to a Committee of Experts for restoration has not been made available
- All parties were granted more time to respond
What Is Still Unclear
- When the funds will be released and restoration work will begin
- The next hearing date and further tribunal directions
What Changed
- 25 Sept, 03:30 amSignal detected: NGT Pulls Up Centre, State Over Stalled Restoration of Rudraprayag Stream Damaged by Rail Project
Background
The Rishikesh-Karnaprayag rail line construction has previously drawn scrutiny over muck disposal and environmental compliance in the region.