NGT halts desilting in Punjab rivers, cites environmental clearance issues

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has granted stay on desilting work in several rivers and seasonal streams across Punjab, including Ropar district raising serious questions about environmental clearance and commercial exploitation of river material.The order was passed on February 17, while hearing petition filed by Daljeet Singh against Punjab and other authorities, a copy of which was available with The Tribune. The applicant challenged an auction notice issued on October 17, 2025, by drainage division of the Punjab Water Resources Department. The auction notice relates to desilting of sites in several districts, including SAS Nagar, Patiala, Mansa, Ropar, Ludhiana, Anandpur Sahib and SBS Nagar.According to the applicant, the desilting work proposed by the state government is not limited to flood prevention or maintenance of water channels. Instead, it is being carried out for commercial purposes, as the extracted silt and sand are to be sold in the open market. The applicant argued that since the activity involves commercial extraction of minor minerals, it cannot be undertaken without obtaining prior environmental clearance as required under the Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) Notification, 2006.During the hearing, the applicant’s counsel pointed out that large quantities of material are proposed to be removed and auctioned. This, he said, clearly shows that the exercise is aimed at generating revenue rather than only improving water flow. It was further argued that such large-scale desilting could have serious downstream impacts, including erosion and damage to agricultural land.The NGT order stated that a similar issue is already pending before it in another petition of Gram Panchayat Galhri vs Union of India and other, which also concerns desilting activities in Punjab. In that case, submissions were recorded that the Punjab Water Resources Department had identified 85 desilting sites across the state, of which 36 sites were being auctioned. The material removed from these sites was intended to be sold as minor minerals, opening a new legal source for sand in the market.Taking note of these facts, the Tribunal observed that the present application raises substantial questions related to compliance with environmental laws. The Bench, comprising Justice Prakash Shrivastava, Chairperson, and Dr Afroz Ahmad, Expert Member, decided to issue notice to all respondents to seek their response.As an interim measure, and keeping in view the principle of parity with the earlier case, the Tribunal directed that although the tender process may continue, the actual desilting work shall not begin without prior permission of the Tribunal. This means that no physical removal of silt or sand from rivers and streams can take place until the matter is finally examined.The case has been listed for further hearing along with OA No. on May 14, 2026.The NGT’s order is expected to have a wide impact on river management and sand extraction policies in Punjab. Environmental activists see the decision as a significant step toward ensuring that development and flood-control measures do not come at the cost of ecological damage and violation of environmental laws.

NGT halts desilting in Punjab rivers, cites environmental clearance issues

Desilting for commercial purpose requires environmental clearance under EIA notification, 2006

Lalit Mohan

Tribune News Service

NGT halts desilting in Punjab rivers, cites environmental clearance issues

Desilting for commercial purpose requires environmental clearance under EIA notification, 2006

Lalit Mohan

Tribune News Service

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