Ranchi: The Damodar River has come under the scrutiny of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) following allegations of floodplain encroachment, illegal sand mining and expansion of an ash pond linked to the Damodar Valley Corporation’s (DVC) Chandrapura Thermal Power Station (CTPS).

The NGT’s Eastern Zone Bench in Kolkata, in its order dated September 3, 2026, issued notices to the Jharkhand government, DVC and several other authorities. The Tribunal observed that the allegations raised in the petition prima facie involved substantial questions relating to the environment.

The case was filed by Praveen Kumar Singh, Jharkhand State Convener of the Damodar Bachao Andolan. Singh has alleged that a concrete/stone wall is being constructed along the existing bank of the Damodar River within the High Flood Level (HFL) area, or active floodplain, apparently to facilitate expansion of the CTPS ash-pond area towards the river.

He has also alleged illegal sand extraction and the creation of pits in the riverbed, claiming that such activities could damage the river and its floodplain. The petition seeks an immediate stop to the alleged activities, restoration of the affected area and proper demarcation of the Damodar’s floodplain.

Ash pond distance under scrutiny

The petition refers to the 2023 Guidelines on Design, Construction, O&M and Annual Certification of Coal Ash Ponds. As recorded in the NGT order, the guidelines provide that ash ponds should be located at least 500 metres from the High Flood Level/Full Reservoir Level of rivers and reservoirs.

Singh has therefore sought compliance with the guidelines and suggested that an alternative location be considered for the ash pond if the present site does not meet the required norms.

Earlier pollution incidents cited

Singh has also referred to the long-running Damodar Bachao Andolan, saying the movement had helped reduce pollution in the river by around 95% over the past 25 years.

At the same time, he raised concerns over pollution linked to DVC’s thermal power stations at Chandrapura and Bokaro.

He cited the September 2019 ash-pond collapse at Bokaro Thermal Power Station, which, according to him, affected hundreds of homes and later became the subject of an NGT case in which a penalty of ₹2.89 crore was imposed.

He also referred to an October 2019 furnace-oil leakage at CTPS, alleging that it disrupted water supplies in parts of Bokaro and Dhanbad for around 72 hours and affected a large population. According to Singh, the incident also resulted in an NGT proceeding and a penalty of ₹1.65 crore, which was subsequently paid.

Wall construction led to NGT petition

According to the petitioner, several representations were made to DVC and government authorities regarding the construction of the wall along the Damodar.

Singh claimed that the Jharkhand Water Resources Department subsequently conducted an inquiry and found CTPS at fault. Following this, the Tenughat Division issued a notice to the Senior General Manager-cum-Project Head of CTPS, asking that the work be stopped.

The petitioner, however, alleged that construction continued despite the direction. He then approached the NGT seeking intervention.

The petition also refers to a May 16, 2026 show-cause notice issued by the Executive Engineer, Tenughat Dam Division, to the Chief Manager and Project Head of DVC-CTPS.

Authorities asked to respond

The respondents in the case include the Chief Secretary of Jharkhand, Chairman of DVC, Member Secretary of the Jharkhand Pollution Control Board, Secretary of the Ministry of Jal Shakti, Director General of the Clean Water Mission, Secretary of the Central Water Commission and Secretary of the Department of Water Resources, Jharkhand, among others.

The NGT has given the respondents two months to file their replies.

The matter has been listed for further consideration on November 6, 2026, when the Tribunal will also hear arguments on I.A. No. 122/2026/EZ.

For now, the NGT’s notice does not amount to a final finding against the respondents. The allegations will be considered after the authorities file their responses.