The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has issued notice to the Jammu and Kashmir government over the construction of a Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) at Khadi Mill Ground in Allochi Bagh, Srinagar, following objections raised by residents over its location and alleged violations of environmental norms.
The petition has been filed by residents of the locality, led by Bhupender Singh and others, who have alleged that the proposed STP is being constructed in proximity to residential houses in Friends Colony and that the project violates prescribed environmental and siting requirements.
Senior counsel and environmental lawyer Advocate Saurabh Sharma appeared before a bench comprising NGT Chairman Justice Prakash Srivastava and Expert Member Dr Afroz Alam and argued that the proposed STP is being set up at a distance of only around 5 to 10 metres from the houses of the applicants.
The applicants also placed before the Tribunal an inspection report of the Jammu and Kashmir Pollution Control Committee (J&K PCC), which, according to them, found the proposed STP to be located only around 25 metres from residential houses. They submitted that the applicable norms require a minimum distance of 500 metres.
The petitioners also relied on a communication dated January 29, 2026, issued by the Regional Director, J&K Pollution Control Committee, Kashmir, to the Superintending Engineer, Urban Environmental Engineering Department (UEED), Srinagar, in support of their contention regarding violation of the siting criteria.
Another issue raised before the Tribunal concerns the consent issued by the Pollution Control Committee for establishment of the plant.
According to the proceedings, the J&K PCC had issued Consent to Establish (CTE) for the STP on March 20, 2026, which was subsequently rescinded on May 21, 2026.
The applicants have also raised concerns over the location of the proposed plant, describing the Khadi Mill Ground as a low-lying and flood-prone area located adjacent to the Flood Spill Channel.
They submitted that the area was completely flooded during the 2014 floods and argued that constructing an STP at the location could create health and environmental risks for nearby residents.
The petitioners have also contended that the proposed facility would create a health hazard and violate their right to life.
During the proceedings, counsel for the applicants also referred to an order of the Division Bench of the High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh at Srinagar dated July 1, 2026, in LPA No. 129/2026 in the case of Residents of Allochi Bagh and others versus UT of Jammu and Kashmir and others.
The applicants submitted before the NGT that they were not members of the association involved in that case and argued that, in any event, the High Court had directed that the STP be established at the proposed site strictly in accordance with applicable norms and regulations.
The NGT, while considering the matter, recorded that the Original Application raised a “substantial issue relating to compliance of the environmental norms”.
The Tribunal has accordingly issued notice to the respondents and directed them to file their response or reply by way of affidavit at least one week before the next date of hearing through e-filing.
The NGT further directed the applicant to serve the respondents and file an affidavit of service at least one week before the next hearing.
The matter has been listed for hearing before the Principal Bench of the NGT on November 25, 2026.
The Alouchibagh project is part of a larger effort to address sewage entering the Doodhganga stream. Two Sewage Treatment Plants are to be established at an estimated combined cost of Rs 140 crore following the NGT’s directions in the matter of Dr Raja Muzaffar Bhat versus the J&K government and others in OA No. 241/2021.
One of the plants is coming up at Kralpora, Chadoora, while the other is being established at Allouhi Bagh in Srinagar.
According to the information placed before the Tribunal, work on the Kralpora STP is proceeding smoothly. The Allochi Bagh project, however, has faced opposition from local residents over its location in a low-lying area and its proximity to residential houses in Friends Colony.
The latest proceedings before the NGT are centred on the environmental and regulatory concerns raised by the applicants regarding the Alouchibagh site.
The Tribunal has not, in the present order, given a final finding on the allegations raised by the petitioners. It has sought responses from the concerned respondents before proceeding further with the matter.
The case will now come up before the NGT Principal Bench on November 25, when the responses of the government and other respondents are expected to be considered.
