NGT Takes Cognisance Of 'Pollution' Caused By Karnataka Ethanol Plant
The tribunal directed for listing the matter Southern Zone Bench at Chennai for September 23, reports Santu Das.
Published : September 1, 2026 at 8:44 PM IST
New Delhi: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has taken cognizance of a matter relating to alleged pollution from an ethanol plant in Belagavi district of Karnataka.
The matter was heard by the Principal Bench of the Tribunal comprising Judicial Member Justice Arun Kumar Tyagi and Expert Member Dr A Senthil Vel.
The applicant has raised grievances regarding alleged illegal operation of an 845 KLPD ethanol plant situated near the Ugar Sugar Factory located at Ugar Khurd in Belagavi district.
It was alleged that the Ugar Sugar factory established a 45 KLPD distillery unit on October 18, 2012 and commenced ethanol production and the production capacity was increased to approximately 845 KLPD.
It was claimed that the ethanol plant is situated very close to a residential colony and over time, several serious environmental and public health problems have arisen because of the functioning of the plant.
The applicant alleged that the ethanol factory has caused severe air, water, soil, and noise pollution in the surrounding area, as a result, the local residents are facing serious health problems and environmental
disturbance.
It was alleged that many elderly persons, women, youth and children in the locality are suffering from health issues such as breathing difficulties, chest congestion, headache, chest pain, skin diseases, and several other illnesses.
The applicant further alleged continuous air, water, soil, and noise pollution caused by the ethanol plant has made the surrounding environment unhealthy and unsafe for human habitation.
During the hearing on Monday, the Tribunal noted that the applicant was not present before it either physically or through video conferencing. However, instead of dismissing the application for non-appearance, it granted an adjournment to enable the applicant to appear before it physically or through video conferencing.
The Registry has been directed to inform the applicant about the next date of hearing and to ask him to join the proceedings physically or through video conferencing and produce the material available with him.
The Bench further observed that the place where the cause of action is stated to have arisen falls within the jurisdiction of the Southern Zone Bench of the Tribunal in Chennai.
The Tribunal considered it appropriate that the matter be heard by the Southern Zone Bench at Chennai. Accordingly, the Registry has been directed to list the matter before the Southern Zone Bench on September 23.
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