The National Green Tribunal (NGT) Principal Bench has raised serious concerns over alleged environmental and safety lapses in the 2.4-km Bijli Mahadev Ropeway Project proposed in Himachal Pradesh’s Kharal Valley.
Hearing O.A. No. 481/2025 and O.A. No. 523/2025—both highlighting similar issues—the Tribunal was informed of alleged deficiencies in seismic, landslide and flood-risk assessments linked to the project. The Applicants argued that while the feasibility report categorises the region as Seismic Zone-V, updated Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) data places it in Seismic Zone-VI, the highest-risk classification. They contended that this discrepancy necessitates stronger structural safeguards, which they claim have not been incorporated.
The Applicants also pointed out that several key appendices referenced in the feasibility report from page 407 onward were not available in the records, leaving vital natural hazard and design-related details unverified.
Another major issue raised was the alleged non-compliance with the Forest Rights Act (FRA). The Applicants questioned the authenticity of the No Objection Certificate (NOC) submitted, calling it forged and referring to a police complaint cited in the case file. They further argued that forest rights claims for 14 villages remain unsettled, while documentation reflects settlement for only four.
Representing the State of Himachal Pradesh, the Advocate General assured the Tribunal that all issues would be thoroughly reviewed, with a detailed response to be filed within three weeks. Counsel for Respondent No. 2 submitted that the feasibility report should be treated as the project’s Detailed Project Report (DPR).
Taking note of the submissions, the Bench—comprising Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava and Expert Member Dr. A. Senthil Vel—adjourned the matter for further hearing on January 13, 2026.
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