A joint committee, formed by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) to investigate allegations of coastal regulation zone violations in the Netravathi Riverfront Project, conducted an inspection of the project sites on Tuesday. The NGT’s principal bench ordered the committee’s formation on March 5, following a complaint from the National Environment Care Federation about irregularities in the project’s execution.
Due to the Dakshina Kannada district administration’s failure to arrange the inspection, the NGT’s southern bench in Chennai issued an interim order on May 31, halting any project work by the executing agency, Mangaluru Smart City Limited (MSCL), until the next hearing on July 2. The bench also directed the deputy commissioner to expedite the committee’s inspection.
Committee members, including Dakshina Kannada deputy commissioner Mullai Muhilan MP, R Sridhar from the Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change, T Mahima from the Central Pollution Control Board, and Sathya Kiran Raju from the National Centre for Coastal Research, visited various worksites near the Netravathi Bridge, Mangalore Club, Mulihithlu, and Bolara Sea Face.
MSCL general manager (technical) Arun Prabha KS explained the project components, emphasizing that no permanent structures were being built on the riverfront. He noted that the project includes a pedestrian walkway, a bicycle track, and other temporary amenities. Prabha asserted that MSCL has adhered to all guidelines and that the project aims to enhance public access to the river while protecting the riverbank with a retaining wall.