BHOPAL: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has formed a joint committee to investigate air and noise pollution concerns raised by the residents’ welfare society of Tulsi Tower in Shivaji Nagar, one of Bhopal’s popular apartment complexes.
The residents claimed they have been living in a “virtual hell” since a Pune-based construction company began work on ‘Tulsi Green,’ the second phase of the project. The tribunal noted that there have been clear environmental violations by the Madhya Pradesh Housing & Infrastructure Development Board and its contractor, despite the project receiving Environmental Clearance (EC) on July 2, 2022. The judicial member, Sheo Kumar Singh, and expert member, Sudhir Kumar Chaturvedi, emphasized that the respondents are ignoring statutory environmental laws and clearance conditions.
Advocate Ravikant Paridar, representing the petitioners, stated that the site has been a significant source of air and noise pollution due to open dumping of construction materials, contributing to airborne dust that causes allergies and respiratory issues, especially among children and the elderly. He mentioned that the lack of a functional sewage treatment plant (STP) results in untreated wastewater being discharged, creating conditions for mosquito breeding. Despite clear violations of the Air and Water Acts, the MP Pollution Control Board has not conducted the requisite monitoring or inspections for six months, as mandated by the NGT.
The NGT also noted that basic dust suppression measures were absent, leading to continuous dust, smoke, and sand pollution in the surrounding area. Furthermore, construction activities reportedly extended late into the night, violating noise regulations. The noise levels were found to significantly exceed acceptable limits for residential areas.
Recognizing the substantial environmental concerns raised, the NGT has issued notices to all involved parties, including the MP government and the construction company, requesting a response within four weeks. A further hearing is scheduled for February 23, 2026.
