NGT Declines to Intervene in Assam Commando Battalion Construction Dispute

The National Green Tribunal has decided not to intervene in the construction of the Assam Commando Battalion headquarters, stating that the project will remain under 20,000 square meters, thus not requiring environmental clearance. This decision follows allegations of illegal land diversion for the project. The Assam government has committed to adhering to environmental laws and will dismantle any excess constructions. The tribunal's ruling emphasizes compliance with regulations and the importance of obtaining necessary clearances before further development.
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NGT Declines to Intervene in Assam Commando Battalion Construction Dispute

NGT's Decision on Assam Commando Battalion Headquarters


New Delhi, Jun 2: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has determined that it will not intervene in the case concerning the alleged unauthorized approval for the construction of the second Assam Commando Battalion headquarters within the inner line of a reserved forest in Hailakandi district, Assam.


The tribunal concluded the case after receiving an affidavit from the state government, which stated that the construction area would be limited to under 20,000 square meters (approximately 4.94 acres), thus exempting it from the need for environmental clearance (EC).


This action was prompted by a media report that claimed senior forest officials in Assam had illegally allocated 44 acres of protected forest land for the battalion headquarters, a project managed by the Assam Police Housing Corporation.


According to the affidavit submitted on April 25, 2025, the Assam government confirmed that the construction would be restricted to 20,000 square meters (specifically 19,668 square meters). The NGT bench, led by chairperson Prakash Shrivastava, stated in its order dated May 30 that such a project does not require an EC.


The bench, which included judicial member Justice Sudhir Agarwal and expert member A Senthil Vel, acknowledged the state's commitment to dismantle any structures exceeding the 20,000 square meter limit and to refrain from any further construction that would require an EC as per the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Notification of 2006.


Furthermore, the tribunal noted that the state government intends to apply for an additional 8,233 square meters if necessary and will comply with all legal requirements, ensuring that no further construction will commence without obtaining the necessary clearances.


Given these circumstances, the tribunal concluded that no further action was necessary regarding the original application (OA) and thus disposed of the matter.


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