NGT directs TNPCB to fix timeline for IIT-Madras pollution study in Neyveli

The Southern Bench of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) to issue the Terms of Reference (ToR) to IIT-Madras and set a timeline for a comprehensive scientific study into pollution issues in Neyveli. The direction came after differences emerged among members of a technical committee that had been constituted to examine the matter.

The Bench, comprising Justice Pushpa Sathyanarayana and expert member Prashant Gargava, issued the order on August 12 while hearing two suo motu cases based on news reports about alleged pollution around Neyveli Lignite Corporation (NLC) India and the presence of mercury in water. The Tribunal noted that the internal technical committee formed by the TNPCB had submitted individual reports, but its members held differing views on preparing a consolidated report.

Following this, the TNPCB decided to entrust the study to IIT-Madras. However, the Bench observed that the TNPCB had yet to issue the ToR to the institute or fix a timeline for completing the study.

In its earlier order dated July 15, the Bench had recorded that the TNPCB’s sampling and analysis had produced varying findings. While private laboratory reports found mercury and selenium below the level of quantification in the second cycle of analysis, the TNPCB’s own laboratory detected mercury in six of 19 surface water samples, ranging from 0.01 mg/l to 0.027 mg/l. The Bench had noted that the heavy metals were within prescribed standards.

A high-level technical expert committee inspected the study area in July 2025 and collected four samples. Its members submitted individual reports but disagreed on preparing a comprehensive report. The committee also stated that the exact source of contamination could not be established with the available data, and that a detailed investigation of hydrogeology, wind patterns, and nearby industries—including NLC, TAQA, and IL&FS—would be necessary.

The Bench has directed the TNPCB to file a status report covering the ToR issued to IIT-Madras, the timeline fixed for submission of the study, and other relevant details. The matter has been posted for further hearing on September 25. The Bench said that once the IIT-Madras report is filed, it could consider giving a quietus to the applications and issue further directions depending on the findings.