National Green Tribunal issues notice to Chennai collector over canal pollution

05-Jun-2025

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The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has issued notices to the Chennai District Collector and the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board, seeking their responses regarding pollution concerns in the Captain Cotton Canal in Chennai.

The Tribunal was hearing a suo motu (initiated on its own, without formal complaint or petition from an external party) case concerning the Captain Cotton Canal, which has become severely clogged due to the widespread dumping of garbage and the discharge of untreated sewage. 

The bench observed that the news report raised “substantial issues” concerning compliance with environmental regulations.

Accordingly, the tribunal added the Chennai District Collector and the Member Secretary of the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board as parties to the case and directed: “Issue notice to the above respondents for filing their response/reply.”