Cuttack: National Green Tribunal (NGT) has decided to proceed ex parte against multiple Odisha govt authorities in a case alleging illegal construction of a jetty by a private party in the ecologically sensitive Chilika Lake area, setting the matter down for final hearing.In its order, east zone bench of judicial member Arun Kumar Tyagi and expert member Ishwar Singh noted that despite being granted four weeks on April 16 to file a response, the superintendent of police, Khurda, had failed to do so.The tribunal also recorded that on July 28, none appeared on behalf of the state respondents, including the Khurda collector, tehsildar, superintendent of police, Odisha State Pollution Control Board, State Coastal Zone Management Authority and State Wetland Authority, during the proceedings.“The respondents are proceeded against ex-parte for the purpose of present proceedings,” the bench observed on July 28, while fixing Oct 12 for final hearing. It further directed that a copy of the order be emailed to Odisha chief secretary and advocate general for information.Advocates Sankar Prasad Pani and Ashutosh Padhy appeared on behalf of the petitioner, Maa Kalijaee Motor Boat Workers’ Union.The petition, on which NGT had issued notice on August 1, 2025, alleges that a private company illegally constructed a concrete jetty at Garadwar as part of a luxury tourism project within Chilika wetland, a Ramsar site.The disputed jetty is part of a proposed Rs 14.67-crore tourism project comprising houseboats, cottages, a spa and an adventure park.The tribunal’s decision to proceed ex parte assumes significance in view of an earlier affidavit filed by Khurda district magistrate Amrit Ruturaj on Nov 25, 2025. The affidavit had acknowledged that the jetty exceeded the dimensions permitted under Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) clearance issued on Oct 24, 2024, and had been constructed without the mandatory approval of State Wetland Authority.A joint inquiry by Revenue Department and Chilika Wildlife Division had confirmed both violations, according to the affidavit.With the state authorities now facing ex parte proceedings, the tribunal is expected to decide the matter on the basis of the available records and submissions at the final hearing.
