National Green Tribunal Allows Ayodhya Bypass Expansion Project In Bhopal With Strict Environmental Safeguards
The National Green Tribunal (NGT), Principal Bench, New Delhi, has disposed of Original Application No. 53/2026-PB titled “Nitin Saxena vs National Highway Authority of India & Others” concerning the proposed felling of trees for the Asharam Tiraha to Ratnagiri Tiraha Ayodhya Bypass expansion project in Bhopal.
The matter was heard by a Bench comprising Justice Prakash Shrivastava (Chairperson), Justice Sheo Kumar Singh (Judicial Member), Dr. A. Senthil Vel (Expert Member), and Mr. Sudhir Kumar Chaturvedi (Expert Member).
The applicant had challenged the large-scale cutting of trees proposed for the six-laning and widening of the Ayodhya Bypass road project, raising concerns regarding environmental degradation, rising urban temperatures, and non-compliance with the Madhya Pradesh Vrikshon Ka Parirakshan (Nagariya Kshetra) Adhiniyam, 2001.
During the proceedings, the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) submitted that the project is of national importance and necessary to address severe traffic congestion, accident-prone black spots, and increasing vehicular load in Bhopal. NHAI also informed the Tribunal that permissions for tree felling had been obtained from the competent authorities and that compensatory plantation measures would be undertaken in accordance with environmental norms.
After considering the submissions and reports placed on record, the Tribunal held that there was no illegality in the permissions granted for tree felling and permitted the project to proceed. However, the Tribunal issued several important environmental directions, including:
• Strict compliance with the Madhya Pradesh tree protection law and environmental regulations;
• Implementation of compensatory afforestation and plantation policies under the Green Highways Policy;
• Monitoring of compensatory plantation for 15 years through a technical committee comprising officials from the Forest Department, Municipal Corporation, Horticulture Department, and State Pollution Control Board;
• Compliance with recommendations of the Centrally Empowered Committee;
• Submission of details by NHAI regarding funds deposited and utilized for plantation and CAMPA-related activities during the last five years;
• Verification by the State Pollution Control Board regarding utilization of afforestation funds and survival rates of planted trees.
The Tribunal observed that while environmental protection and preservation of urban green cover are of utmost importance, infrastructure projects of national significance may proceed subject to strict compliance with environmental safeguards and compensatory measures.
The application and all pending interlocutory applications were accordingly disposed of.