NGT orders closure of Jahaj Mahal Hotel in Mandu

BHOPAL: National Green Tribunal (NGT) central zone bench has ordered closure of a prominent hotel at the famous tourist destination at Mandu in Dhar district as it was allegedly situated in no-construction zone of a water body.
Recently, green panel ordered closure of Jahaj Mahal Hotel, started in 2013, as it was situated in the no-construction zone of the Sagar Lake.
NGT bench comprising judicial member Justice Dalip Singh and expert member PS Rao observed during the hearing that even though permission has been granted by Nagar Panchayat Parishad, Mandu for the hotel, it still falls in no-construction zone/within full tank level area of the Sagar Lake.
Secondly, no consent under Air and Water Acts have been sought from MP Pollution Control Board (MPPCB) and in fact it has been rejected by the board.
Thereafter, it was contended by hotel's counsel that according to Sub Divisional Officer (SDO) (revenue), district Dhar, construction was outside the lake area and was not affecting in any manner the inflow of water into the lake and no damage as a result of the construction had been caused to the lake.
Said report was submitted on November 23, 2012 to the general manager, MP finance corporation, zonal office, Indore. However, in a rebuttal, state counsel submitted that a joint inspection was carried out on January 6 this year and report was prepared by five officials and they have found the hotel to be in no-construction zone, even though the Nagar Panchayat Parishad said that construction had been carried out as per the approved plan.
Hotel's counsel said a fresh application for consent had been submitted before the MPPCB and is pending before them.
Thereafter, NGT ordered district administration, collector Dhar and officials of the MPPCB, Dhar to ensure that no commercial activity or running of the hotel was permitted as the hotel did not have board's consent for operations.
Besides, NGT ordered district collector, Dhar to carry out survey and inspection of the disputed site based upon the revenue records and explain as to whether or not the dispute site where the construction of the hotel had been raised falls within the no-construction zone and whether any permission could have at all been granted by the Nagar Panchayat Parishad in this behalf.
State counsel Sachin K Verma sought two weeks' time for the same which was granted. Matter would be heard next on March 23.