National Green Tribunal (NGT) Takes Suo Motu Cognizance of Major Fire at NTPC’s North Karanpura Power Plant, Transfers Case to Eastern Zonal Bench
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has taken Suo Motu cognizance of a significant fire incident at NTPC’s North Karanpura Superthermal Power Plant in Jharkhand’s Chatra District. This petition was registered following a news report on April 19, 2024, which detailed a fire in the BHEL material yard of unit 3 at the power plant.
This coal-based power plant has a total capacity of 1980 MW (660 MW x 3). The initial reports indicated no casualties. During the tribunal proceedings, representatives from both the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and the Jharkhand State Pollution Control Board (JSPCB) were present. However, they did not have information on any casualties and the JSPCB representative could not confirm whether the power plant was complying with environmental norms.
The original application raises significant concerns about compliance with environmental regulations and the enforcement of statutory provisions. The NGT’s power to initiate suo-motu proceedings has been supported by the Supreme Court in the case of “Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai vs. Ankita Sinha & Ors.,” reported in 2021 SCC Online SC 897.
Consequently, the Principal Bench of Justice Prakash Shrivastava and Dr. A. Senthil Vel named the following respondents in the matter:
Central Pollution Control Board, through its Member Secretary.
Jharkhand State Pollution Control Board, through its Member Secretary.
Deputy Commissioner and District Magistrate, Chatra.
NTPC, North Karanpura Superthermal Power Plant, through its Administrative Head, Chatra District, Jharkhand.
Since the issue falls under the jurisdiction of the Eastern Zonal Bench in Kolkata, the Principal Bench transferred the case to the Eastern Zonal Bench for further action. The NGT has directed the transfer of the original records to the Eastern Zonal Bench, with the next hearing scheduled for July 5, 2024.
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