National Green Tribunal
News Item Appearing In The Hindu Dated ... vs Andhra Pradesh Coastal Zone Management ... on 25 February, 2026
Item No.2:-
BEFORE THE NATIONAL GREEN TRIBUNAL
SOUTHERN ZONE, CHENNAI
Wednesday, the 25th day of February, 2026.
[Through Physical Hearing (Hybrid Option)]
Original Application No.26 of 2024 (SZ)
[Earlier O.A. No. 702 of 2023 (PB)]
IN THE MATTER OF:
Tribunal on its own motion SUO MOTU
based on the news item in The Hindu Dt.
29.10.2023 titled "Will the tide turn for
the ship that ran aground in Vizag?"
With
1) Andhra Pradesh Coastal Zone Management Authority
Through its Member Secretary,
D.No.33-26-14 D/2, Near Sunrise Hospital,
Pushpa Hotel Centre, Chalamavari Street,
Kasturibaipet, Vijayawada - 520 010.
2) Ministry of Shipping
Through its Secretary,
Parivahan Bhavan,
1, Parliament Street,
New Delhi.
3) Department of Forest (AP)
Through its Principal Chief Conservator,
Aranya Bhavan, P.V.S. Land Mark,
Near APIIC Towers, Mangalagiri,
Guntur District - 522 503.
Andhra Pradesh.
4) District Magistrate, Visakhapatnam
National Informatics Centre,
Collectorate, Maharanipeta,
Visakhapatnam - 530 002.
5) Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation
5th Floor, Stalin Corporate Office,
Autonagar, Industrial Area,
Vijayawada - 520 007.
[R5 - Suo Motu impleaded as per order dated 22.03.2024]
...Respondent(s)
For Applicant(s): Suo Motu.
For Respondent(s): Mr. K. Ravindranath for R1 & R3 to R5.
Page 1 of 6
Judgment Reserved on: 09th February, 2026.
CORAM:
HON'BLE Smt. JUSTICE PUSHPA SATHYANARAYANA, JUDICIAL MEMBER
HON'BLE Dr. PRASHANT GARGAVA, EXPERT MEMBER
JUDGMENT
Delivered by Smt. Justice Pushpa Sathyanarayana, Judicial Member
1. The above-captioned Original Application arises from suo motu cognizance taken by the Principal Bench on the basis of a news report published in The Hindu on 29.10.2023, titled "Will the tide turn for the ship that ran aground in Vizag?". The matter was transferred to this Bench, where it was renumbered as Original Application No.26 of 2024 (SZ).
2. The news report highlights concerns raised by environmentalists regarding the rusting MV MAA, which ran aground near Tenneti Park Beach, Visakhapatnam. It pertains to the proposal by the Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (APTDC) to convert the grounded vessel into a tourism attraction, including a restaurant facility, thereby raising concerns about structural safety and environmental impact.
3. Upon notice, the 1st Respondent/Andhra Pradesh Coastal Zone Management Authority (APCZMA) has filed reports stating that the project site falls under CRZ-IB (intertidal zone) and CRZ-II as per the approved Coastal Zone Management Plan (CZMP - Map No. AP 117). Activities in CRZ-IB are strictly regulated under the CRZ Notification, 2011 and require prior clearance.
4. It is stated in the report that the proposal was placed before the 59th Meeting of APCZMA held on 14.11.2023. Upon examination, the Authority did not grant clearance and sought detailed clarifications regarding environmental impact of steel stabilization structures in the intertidal zone, potential alteration of natural coastal processes and sand movement, construction phase impacts, including debris and turbidity, detailed water balance and adequacy of the proposed STP capacity, safeguards Page 2 of 6 to ensure zero discharge into marine waters, solid waste management particularly food waste handling, structural safety certification of the vessel, cyclone and disaster management measures and justification for the proposed access works.
5. In response to the clarifications sought by the APCZMA, the Project Proponent stated that water requirements would be met through authorized municipal tankers, and that wastewater generated from washrooms and by visitors would be treated in an in-built Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) installed within the ship. Treated water is proposed to be reused for flushing and allied purposes, and no untreated discharge will be let into the sea. Solid waste, including food waste, is proposed to be segregated at source and handed over to the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation or authorized recyclers.
6. It is also stated that certain components such as rain shelter and pitched pathway were subsequently dropped by the proponent. The APCZMA constituted an inspection committee comprising expert members for field verification and directed coordination through APPCB. It is categorically stated that no CRZ clearance has been granted and that the proposal remains under appraisal.
7. The Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF)/Respondent No.3 has filed the report dated 12.08.2024 stating that APTDC made a proposal on 11.02.2023 seeking diversion of 0.55 Hectares of forest land in Compartment No.965, Gudlavanipalem Forest Block (Shelter Belt Section), comprising 0.35 Hectares for approach road and 0.20 Hectares for parking facilities under the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980. The proposal was forwarded to the State Government and thereafter to the Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change (MoEF&CC). The Central Ministry raised Essential Details Sought requiring justification for the necessity of the access road through forest land, examination of alternative access through Tenneti Park and clarification whether the proposed parking facility is site- specific. It is also stated that the proposal is pending consideration and no forest clearance has been granted.
Page 3 of 68. The 5th Respondent (APTDC) has filed a report dated 19.08.2024 stating that the General Cargo Vessel MV MAA, sailing under the flag of Bangladesh, ran aground on 13.10.2020 due to adverse weather conditions while waiting at anchorage. Attempts to refloat the vessel failed and the owner declared it a constructive total loss. The insurer treated the vessel as a wreck and transferred it to M/s. Gill Marines, Visakhapatnam. The vessel was thereafter salvaged and beached near Tenneti Park in December 2021.
9. It is further stated in the report that the APTDC applied to the Forest Department on 11.02.2023 for access clearance from Jodugullapalem to the ship. The District Forest Officer (DFO), Visakhapatnam, recommended the proposal, and the State Secretary granted in-principle approval on 14.11.2023. The proposal is currently pending before the DFO, Visakhapatnam, following an Essential Details Sought (EDS) request raised by the Integrated Regional Office (IRO), Chennai, on 12.02.2024. Further, the APTDC submitted a proposal to the APCZMA on 20.06.2023 for CRZ clearance, as the site falls under CRZ-IB and CRZ-II zones. Clarifications were sought during the 59th APCZMA meeting held on 14.11.2023 and were replied to by the APTDC on 02.02.2024. The proposal is presently pending clearance from the APCZMA.
10. Heard the learned counsel appearing for the respondents and also perused the materials available on record.
11. The submissions and records indicate the procedural history of the proposal, the environmental concerns raised and the regulatory status of the project.
12. It is evident that the vessel in question, MV MAA, is situated in CRZ-IB, an ecologically sensitive intertidal zone. Activities in the CRZ-IB zone are strictly regulated under the CRZ Notification, 2011. The proposed conversion of the grounded vessel into a tourism attraction, including structural stabilization, installation of steel supports, pathways, and a restaurant facility, entails potential impacts on the intertidal ecosystem. The adequacy, design capacity, operational reliability, and monitoring mechanism of the proposed Sewage Treatment Plant (STP), Page 4 of 6 particularly during high tide, cyclones and other extreme weather events, require scientific scrutiny. Similarly, construction activities such as installation of steel supports and pathways could alter sediment transport, shoreline stability and coastal geomorphology, thereby necessitating expert evaluation by coastal engineers. Further, the solid waste management, food waste handling and prevention of untreated discharge into the sea are critical to ensuring no adverse environmental impact.
13. A careful perusal of the record indicates that neither CRZ Clearance from the APCZMA nor Forest Clearance or any other required approvals from the competent authorities, has been granted. The authorities have raised substantial environmental queries, including the structural safety of the vessel, justification for proposed access roads, adequacy of wastewater and solid waste management measures and potential impacts on natural coastal processes. The APCZMA has constituted inspection committee to verify field conditions and assess environmental risks. Given the ecological sensitivity of the intertidal zone, the precautionary principle mandates strict compliance with all statutory requirements before any project activity is undertaken.
14. In view of the foregoing, it is directed that:
I. No construction, stabilization, installation of structures or tourism-related activities shall be undertaken at the site, including any preliminary works, unless and until all necessary statutory approvals, including CRZ Clearance, Forest Clearance and other relevant permissions, are obtained in accordance with law.
II. The APCZMA shall complete its appraisal,
including field inspection, evaluation of
wastewater and solid waste management
arrangements, verification of structural safety certification and assessment of coastal impacts, before recommending the clearance or passing any orders in this regard.Page 5 of 6
III. The Forest Department shall process the diversion proposal strictly in accordance with statutory provisions, giving due consideration to the availability of alternative access routes and minimizing ecological disturbance.
15. With the above observations and directions, the Original Application [O.A. No. 26 of 2024 (SZ)] is disposed of.
Sd/-
Smt. Justice Pushpa Sathyanarayana, JM Sd/-
Dr. Prashant Gargava, EM Internet - Yes/No All India NGT Reporter - Yes/No O.A. No.26/2024 (SZ), 25th February, 2026. Mn.
Page 6 of 6