A joint committee formed by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) found no breaches of conditions in the Netravathi Riverfront Promenade project by Mangaluru Smart City Ltd. (MSCL). The investigation, prompted by allegations from the National Environment Care Federation (NECF), concluded that there were no violations of the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) clearance set by the Karnataka State Coastal Zone Management Authority.
During a physical inspection on June 11, the committee found no significant damage to mangroves. While some scattered mangrove plants were observed, there were no large patches meeting CRZ requirements. The Coastal Zone Management Plan map also showed no significant mangrove areas of 1,000 square meters or more.
The committee, comprising Dakshina Kannada Deputy Commissioner M.P. Mullai Muhilan, Central Pollution Control Board Scientist ‘E’ T. Mahima, Union Environment Ministry Scientist ‘D’ R. Sridhar, and National Centre for Coastal Research Scientist ‘E’ Satya Kiran Raju, also addressed NECF’s claims regarding the project’s bicycle track and walking path. They noted that MSCL had raised the height of the old stone masonry wall by 600 mm above the high flood level to prevent flooding and erosion, complying with the CRZ clearance dated October 7, 2022.
No evidence of construction debris dumping into the river was found. Additionally, MSCL began dismantling a 42-square-meter unauthorized bird-watching area near the railway bridge. The project includes a 2.1-kilometer stretch from the Netravathi bridge to the Bolara sea face, with 1.6 kilometers of work already completed.
The NGT’s Southern Bench is currently hearing the case based on media reports.
