March 09, 2026 : The National Green Tribunal has transferred a case concerning alleged illegal quarrying in Kerala to its Southern Zone Bench in Chennai, directing that the matter be taken up there later this month.
The case originated from a complaint submitted by Hussain through the tribunal’s Public Grievances Portal in September 2025. The complaint alleged serious violations of environmental regulations at a granite quarry located in Nagalassery Village in Pattambi Taluk of Palakkad district. The tribunal treated the complaint as an original application under its suo motu powers, in line with the legal principle laid down by the Supreme Court of India in the Ankita Sinha judgment.
According to the complaint, the quarry is operated by Sukumaran, president of the Ottappalam Taluk Karinkal Quarry Operators Industrial Co-operative Society Ltd. The project had been granted environmental clearance in May 2023 for excavation of granite building stone over an area of about 0.47 hectares, along with a quarrying permit issued by the state geology department in September 2023.
Local residents alleged that the operator violated multiple conditions attached to the environmental clearance and mining plan. Among the key accusations are excessive extraction of granite far beyond the permitted limits, unsafe quarrying practices, and conducting operations during night hours. Residents also claimed that blasting activities caused structural damage to nearby houses, including cracks in walls and foundations, and destroyed parts of boundary walls.
The complaint further states that quarrying and transportation activities have generated severe dust pollution in the area. Villagers alleged that more than 100 tipper trucks were being used daily to transport stone, many of them overloaded and uncovered, spreading dust across roads, farms, and residential areas. Residents also reported a rise in respiratory illnesses and eye infections due to the dust and air pollution.
Another allegation relates to unsafe blasting within a 150-meter safety zone around residential areas, which residents say violates environmental clearance norms designed to protect nearby communities. The complaint also notes that authorities had previously imposed a penalty of ₹23.56 lakh for unpaid royalties linked to illegal mining activities.
During the hearing on March 9, 2026, the applicant did not appear before the tribunal either physically or through video conferencing. Despite the absence, the bench chose not to dismiss the case and instead granted an adjournment to allow the applicant to participate in the proceedings.
The bench, comprising Justice Arun Kumar Tyagi and expert member Dr. A. Senthil Vel, observed that the alleged violations occurred within the territorial jurisdiction of the tribunal’s Southern Zone Bench. Considering this, the tribunal directed its registry to place the matter before the Chennai bench after obtaining necessary orders from the chairperson.
The tribunal has scheduled the next hearing before the Southern Zone Bench in Chennai on March 27, 2026. The applicant has also been asked to appear on that date and present any supporting material available regarding the alleged environmental violations.
Case Reference : Original Application No. 128/2026. Hussain Versus State of Kerala & Ors.
