NGT Orders Fresh Survey of Kerwa Dam After Finding Encroachments Linked to Senior Officials

The National Green Tribunal's Central Zone Bench has ordered the resumption of a survey of Kerwa Dam's Full Tank Level (FTL) in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh. The fresh survey follows an earlier survey that identified 33 encroachments or constructions within the FTL area, including properties linked to a former state chief secretary, sons of a former DGP, and a Congress MLA.

The NGT directed that the resurvey be completed within three weeks using satellite imagery, drone surveys, ground-truthing, and government records. The committee will verify the status of 1,080 demarcation pillars and whether constructions on government and private land match official records. The earlier survey found 18 structures on government land and 15 on private land.

The tribunal will assess the dam's height and buffer zone while determining the final FTL. The next hearing is scheduled for October 29.