National Green Tribunal Halts Ring Road Construction in Manipur Hills

Forum: National Green Tribunal, Eastern Zone Bench, Kolkata

The National Green Tribunal (NGT), Eastern Zone Bench, Kolkata, has ordered an immediate halt to all construction activities related to the Ring Road project in the hilly regions of Manipur, citing environmental and geological concerns.

Case Details

The order was passed in Original Application No. 144/2025/EZ, filed by Shri Khuraijam Athouba Singh against the Union of India and other respondents.

The matter was heard by a bench comprising Hon’ble Mr. Justice Arun Kumar Tyagi, Judicial Member, and Hon’ble Mr. Ishwar Singh, Expert Member.

Background of the Application

The application was filed under Section 18(1) read with Sections 14, 15, and 16 of the National Green Tribunal Act, 2010. The applicant sought directions to immediately halt construction related to the Ring Road project in forested and hilly regions pending full environmental and geological safety assessments.

The applicant submitted that the Ring Road construction was being carried out across forest and hilly areas in the districts of Churachandpur, Kangpokpi, Noney, and Ukhrul without any statutory approvals.

Information obtained from the Directorate of Environment and Climate Change, Rural Engineering Department, and Forest Department indicated that no official approval, no-objection certificate, or forest clearance had been issued for the project.

The applicant further submitted that satellite imagery corroborated the existence of unauthorised construction activities in ecologically sensitive zones.

Failure to Submit Preliminary Report

Earlier, the Tribunal had directed the Chief Secretary, Government of Manipur, to submit a preliminary report on the matter. Despite multiple extensions, the report had not been filed at the time of the hearing.

A written request for adjournment was submitted by the State, citing the need for re-verification of information received from forest divisions across the six concerned districts. The Tribunal granted four weeks’ additional time for this purpose.

Tribunal’s Directions

Invoking the Precautionary Principle under Section 20 of the National Green Tribunal Act, 2010, the Tribunal issued the following directions:

• All construction activities related to the Ring Road project are to be stopped immediately
• No further construction by any party shall be allowed until the next date of hearing
• The Chief Secretary, Government of Manipur, is directed to issue instructions to all District Magistrates and Superintendents of Police of the six concerned districts to ensure strict compliance

Next Date of Hearing

The matter has been listed for further consideration on 02 February 2026.

Significance of the Order

The Tribunal observed that allowing construction to continue without statutory clearances posed serious environmental and ecological risks. The interim order aims to preserve forest land and prevent irreversible damage pending detailed examination of the case.

A copy of the order has been directed to be sent to the Chief Secretary, Government of Manipur, for immediate compliance.

Order passed by:
Arun Kumar Tyagi, Judicial Member
Ishwar Singh, Expert Member