Coal plant near Ramappa Temple: NGT registers case, issues notices

Hyderabad: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has taken suo motu cognisance of the proposed coal plant construction near the Ramappa Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage site in Mulugu district.

A bench comprising NGT Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava and expert member Dr Afroz Ahmad registered a case and issued notices on November 4 to the Telangana Pollution Control Board, the Mulugu district collector, the Central Pollution Control Board, the Chennai regional office of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, and the Central Ground Water Authority, making them respondents.

According to a report by The Times of India, the bench asked the respondents to file affidavits before the Southern Zonal Bench at Chennai at least one week before the next hearing.

“Any respondent filing directly without an advocate must remain virtually present to assist the Tribunal,” the bench said.

Since the matter falls under the jurisdiction of the Southern Zonal Bench, the Tribunal transferred it, along with its original records, to the Chennai Bench and adjourned it to December 21 for the next hearing.

According to a news report published in October 2026, Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL) is preparing to go ahead with the project despite objections from conservationists. The 800-year-old Ramappa Temple stands on a sand-based foundation and is reportedly showing wear and tear.

The NGT bench observed that the matter indicates a violation of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, and raises substantial issues of compliance with environmental norms and implementation of scheduled enactments. Based on Supreme Court rulings, the bench launched the suo motu proceeding.

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