Indian Kanoon - Search engine for Indian Law

National Green Tribunal

National Green Tribunal Southern Zone vs The Secretary To Govt. Of Tamil Nadu ... on 10 March, 2026

Item No.12:-

               BEFORE THE NATIONAL GREEN TRIBUNAL
                    SOUTHERN ZONE, CHENNAI

                  [Through Physical Hearing (Hybrid Option)]

                 Original Application No.246 of 2020 (SZ)



IN THE MATTER OF:


     Tribunal on its own motion Suo Motu based
     on the news item in Dinamani Newspaper,
     Chennai edition Dt.02.11.2020, "Vaiyavur
     and Nathappettai Lakes : Will become a
     bird sanctuary?"

                                          And

     The Secretary to Govt. of Tamil Nadu,
     Department of Environment,
     Govt. Secretariat, Fort St. George,
     Chennai and Ors.
                                                               ...Respondent(s)


     Date of hearing: 10.03.2026.


CORAM:

HON'BLE Smt. JUSTICE PUSHPA SATHYANARAYANA, JUDICIAL MEMBER

HON'BLE DR. PRASHANT GARGAVA, EXPERT MEMBER


     For Applicant(s):        Suo Motu.

     For Respondent(s):       Ms. Kavia Tamilmozhi represented
                              Dr. D. Shanmuganathan for R1 to R4, R6 to R8.
                              Mr. S. Sai Sathya Jith for R5.
                              M/s. Harikrishnan. T, J. Koseph Sundar & Nikhil. J
                              for R9.
                                    Page 1 of 4
                          ORDER

1. In continuation of our earlier order dated 08.01.2026, the Commissioner, Kancheepuram City Municipal Corporation, appeared through video conferencing and the status report of the 9thRespondent dated 09.03.2026 is filed.

2. With regard to the upgradation of the Underground Sewage System, only 41% has been completed and the status of progress has been provided. It appears that the same will be completed only by September 2027. The construction of the STP is for a capacity of 37 MLD and is based on Sequencing Batch Reactor (SBR) technology. The construction of the primary treatment unit is 100% complete, the secondary treatment unit is 70% complete and the additional infrastructure is 70% complete. The supply and erection of mechanical and electrical items are stated to be at 40%.

3. The Commissioner has expressed hope that the project will be completed and made operational by September 2026.

4. The Manjalneer Odai, which has a total length of 5.583 kilometres, has reportedly achieved approximately 99% overall progress and is expected to be completed before the end of this month.

5. With regard to the fencing work of 5,175 metres, it is stated that the same will be completed before the end of May 2026.

Though the Commissioner mentioned the bio-methanation plant, nothing has been stated about it in the report.

6. So far as the Solid Waste Management is concerned, there are five Material Recovery Facilities within Kancheepuram and six new Micro Composting Centres along with three additional MRFs, are presently underway. The progress of the work has also been provided. Except for Vaiyavur, progress in the remaining locations is less than 50%.

7. As per the affidavit, the construction of the MCCs and MRFs will be completed by July 2026. The Commissioner, who appeared via video conference, also expressed hope that the forthcoming Assembly elections will not impede the progress of the above-mentioned works.

8. We direct the Commissioner to expedite the projects by deploying additional manpower and to complete the work. As stated earlier, until these works are completed, the twin lakes must be maintained without any sewage entering them. Thereafter, they may be declared a Bird Sanctuary and the income generated may be utilized by the Corporation for other development activities.

9. We regret to note that this matter has been pending for more than six years. We hope that our endeavour to transform the twin lakes into either clean water lakes or a bird sanctuary, thereby making them a tourist attraction, will be realized. We only have to state that they have crossed half of the well and the rest is to be completed before the end of this year.

10. The Commissioner, Kancheepuram City Municipal Corporation shall file a progress report on the above aspects before the next date of hearing and shall also remain present on that date through video conferencing.

11. Let the matter be listed on 08.06.2026.

Sd/-

Smt. Justice Pushpa Sathyanarayana, JM Sd/-

Dr. Prashant Gargava, EM O.A. No.246/2020 (SZ), 10th March, 2026. AD.

Note:

The Registry is directed to communicate this order to the Commissioner - Kancheepuram City Municipal Corporation.