The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has called for explanations from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and other authorities in connection with the tragic death of two individuals in an unlawful firecracker unit explosion in Tamil Nadu’s Thanjavur district.

Taking suo motu cognisance of a news report, the NGT bench comprising Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava and expert member A Senthil Vel issued the directive through an order dated May 29. The explosion, which occurred on May 18 in a shed at Neiveli Thenpathy village, reportedly claimed two lives, raising serious environmental and safety concerns.

The tribunal noted that the incident suggested violations of the Environment (Protection) Act and the Public Liability Insurance Act, highlighting significant lapses in regulatory compliance and public safety protocols.

The NGT has now made the CPCB, Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board, and the Thanjavur District Collector official parties to the case. All have been instructed to submit their replies in affidavit form. Notably, if any party files a response independently without legal representation, they are required to appear virtually before the tribunal to provide clarification.

The matter is set to be reviewed by the NGT’s Southern Bench in Chennai on August 1, where further action may be determined based on the responses.