Pranav B Prem

The National Green Tribunal (NGT), Western Zone Bench, Pune, comprising Justice Dinesh Kumar Singh (Judicial Member) and Dr. Vijay Kulkarni (Expert Member), has taken strong note of repeated encroachments on the Indrayani River at Lonavla and criticised the failure of the Lonavla Municipal Council (LMC) to take timely action despite earlier demolition orders.

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The case was initiated on an application filed by Suresh M. Pujari, a resident of Lonavla, raising concerns over illegal constructions on Survey No. 24 in Bhushi village. The Tribunal, in July 2025, had appointed a two-member joint committee comprising representatives of the Lonavla Municipal Council and the Water Resources Department, with the District Collector, Pune, as the nodal agency.

Findings of the Joint Committee
The report submitted to the Tribunal on August 14 revealed that Respondent No. 5, Prakash Mishrimal Porwal, had once again encroached upon the Indrayani River despite earlier demolition carried out under the Tribunal’s order dated December 16, 2020 in O.A. No. 194/2018. The committee noted that:

• Earthen filling had been carried out in the river to construct an approach road to Survey No. 24.

• A new iron gate was installed, along with steel fencing along the unauthorized approach road.

• A swinging footbridge was reconstructed over the river on the northern side of Survey No. 24.

These structures were previously demolished under the Tribunal’s 2020 order, but had been rebuilt.

Applicant’s Demand & Project Proponent’s Stand
Counsel for the applicant urged that the re-constructed structures be demolished forthwith and heavy penalties imposed on the project proponent.

Appearing for the proponent, advocate Adwait Gokhale claimed that necessary permission had been obtained for the constructions, but when questioned by the bench, failed to produce any documentary proof. He was granted time until August 21, 2025 to file objections to the committee’s findings.

Tribunal’s Observations
The bench expressed dissatisfaction over the Lonavla Municipal Council’s inaction, observing: “We fail to understand as to why respondent No. 1 – Council has not taken action against respondent No. 5 as it was required to be taken at their end at the initial stage itself.”  The Tribunal granted one week’s time to the LMC and the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) to file replies. The Pune Collector stated that it would rely on the joint committee’s report. The Water Resources Department and the Deputy Superintendent of Land Records did not appear at the hearing, while the Environment Department’s counsel stated that no reply would be filed.

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The Tribunal thus recorded its concern over repeated encroachments on the Indrayani River and the Lonavla Municipal Council’s failure to act at the initial stage, while granting time to the authorities and the project proponent to file their replies before deciding further course of action.The matter has been listed for further consideration on August 21, 2025.

Appearance

Applicant: Mr. Sangramsingh Bhonsle, Advocate

Respnodents: Mr. Ajay Gadegaonkar, Advocate along with Ms. Akshata Patwari, Advocate for R-1/Lonavala Municipal Council Mr. Airuddha Kulkarni, Advocate along with Mr. Savyasachi Bharadwaj, Advocate for R-3/Envt. Dett. Govt. of Maharashtra Ms. Manasi Joshi, Advocate along with Ms. Pooja Natu, Advocate for R-4/MPCB Mr. Adwait Gokhale, Advocate for R-5/PP Ms. Swati B. Vaidya/Pandit, Advocate for R-6/Collector, Pune 

Cause Title: Suresh M. Pujari  V. Lonavala Municipal Council & Ors. 

Case No: Original Application No.72 of 2025 (WZ)

Coram: Dinesh Kumar Singh [Judicial Member], Dr. Vijay Kulkarni [Expert Member]