PANAJI
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed Vedanta Limited to approach the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) for an amendment to its Environmental Clearance (EC) for transporting iron ore from its Bicholim Mineral Block-I through an extended public road stretch in North Goa.
The order was passed by the Western Zone Bench comprising Justice Dinesh Kumar Singh and Expert Member Dr Sujit Kumar Bajpayee while hearing an application filed by Sandeep Salekar.
Vedanta Ltd transports ore from its Bicholim block via a 5.48km route from lease area to the Sarmanas jetty. The transit uses a 4.54km dedicated road corridor and a 0.94km public stretch on MDR-20 (via villages including Bordem, Lamgao, Mulgao, Mayem, and Sirigao).
The tribunal noted that the only surviving issue in the matter was whether Vedanta, the project proponent, should obtain a modification in its EC to change the transportation route for mined minerals. The MoEF&CC, in its affidavit dated January 28, 2026, informed the tribunal that Vedanta had obtained temporary permission from Directorate of Mines and Geology (DMG) to utilise an extended stretch of MDR-20 for transportation purposes.
Vedanta argued that the permission had been extended from time to time and, therefore, there was no violation or necessity to seek an amendment to its environmental clearance.
However, the NGT rejected the contention, observing that any change in the transportation route could have environmental implications and would require assessment of pollution impacts arising from ore transportation. The bench held that the ad hoc arrangement adopted by the company was not appropriate and that a comprehensive remedy was necessary.
Accordingly, the tribunal directed Vedanta to continue using the existing route for a period of two months and, in the meantime, apply to the MoEF&CC for modification of its environmental clearance to incorporate the revised transportation route. The matter pertains to ore movement from Vedanta's Bicholim mining block, which resumed operations after securing environmental clearance in January 2024.
