The National Green Tribunal (NGT), Eastern Zone Bench, Kolkata, has ordered an immediate halt to the ongoing construction of the Ring Road project in the hilly and forested regions of Manipur, pending environmental and geological safety assessments. The directive was issued during a physical hearing conducted in hybrid mode for Original Application No. 144/2025/EZ filed by Khuraijam Athouba Singh.
The applicant had approached the NGT under Sections 14, 15, 16, and 18(1) of the National Green Tribunal Act, 2010, seeking directions to stop construction activities in ecologically sensitive areas, constitute a high-level expert committee to inspect the site, and take action against violators while preserving forest land.
According to the application, the Ring Road construction across the districts of Churachandpur, Kangpokpi, Noney, and Ukhrul is being carried out without any official approval, no-objection certificate, or forest clearance.
The World Kuki-Zo Intellectual Council, in a memorandum dated February 5, 2025, had highlighted the unauthorized activity. Satellite imagery and information collected from the Directorate of Environment and Climate Change, Rural Engineering Department, and the Forest Department corroborated the claims.
Earlier orders had directed the Chief Secretary of the Government of Manipur to submit a preliminary report on the matter, with multiple extensions granted. However, no report has been filed to date. During the hearing, the government requested four weeks’ time for re-verification of information received from most of the forest divisions across the six concerned districts. The NGT allowed the adjournment.
In the meantime, citing the Precautionary Principle under Section 20 of the NGT Act, the tribunal ordered that no further construction of the Ring Road project be undertaken until the next hearing. The Chief Secretary of Manipur has been directed to issue instructions to all District Magistrates and Superintendents of Police across the six districts to ensure compliance.
The matter has been listed for further consideration on February 2, 2026. A copy of the order has been directed to be sent to the Chief Secretary of Manipur by e-mail and speed post for compliance.