NGT Orders Show Progress on Air Pollution and Canal Conservation in India

India's National Green Tribunal and pollution control bodies issued a series of environment orders on 13 April 2026, covering air quality improvement targets in Madhya Pradesh, canal de-siltation in West Bengal and a procedural challenge to a river desilting project in Punjab. The orders reflect ongoing judicial oversight of environmental compliance across multiple states.

The Madhya Pradesh Pollution Control Board reported progress on source apportionment studies for Bhopal and Gwalior, with draft reports for Indore and Jabalpur nearing completion. New targets under consideration include a 40 per cent reduction in PM10 concentrations across non-attainment cities, supported by measures addressing road dust, vehicular emissions and urban air quality hotspots. Authorities were directed to present updated compliance timelines to the Tribunal.

In West Bengal, the state government outlined short- and long-term plans for the conservation and de-siltation of Kolkata's Circular Canal, responding to NGT directions on water body restoration. The Circular Canal has faced encroachment and siltation challenges that have reduced its ecological and flood management functions. The plans presented to the Tribunal are expected to inform a broader urban water body conservation programme across the state.

In Punjab, the NGT issued notices over a river desilting project that has been challenged on procedural and environmental grounds, questioning whether proper approvals were obtained before work commenced. Taken together, the April 13 orders illustrate the Tribunal's active role in holding state agencies and infrastructure authorities to environmental compliance standards, with hearings on several matters scheduled for later in the year.

Key figure — 40% reduction target for PM10 concentrations in Madhya Pradesh's non-attainment cities