NGT Seeks Month-Wise Bhopal Air Quality Data Since 2019, Flags Low Fund Use

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has requested the State Pollution Control Board in Bhopal to provide a detailed, month-by-month report on the city's air quality from 2019 to the present. This request pertains to air quality parameters, environmental management, and the utilization of related funds. The tribunal's hearing involved Bhopal Municipal Corporation (BMC) submitting a compliance report in line with a previous order from May 20, 2026.

BMC contended that the allocated and received funds were being adequately utilized. However, the NGT noted that only Rs 12.44 crore, or 21.18% of the funds, were utilized in the 2024-25 financial year. Additionally, there were no details on fund utilization for the 2025-26 fiscal year. The tribunal also highlighted that there were no specifics regarding the execution of works carried out during the 2023-24 financial year.

Further, the NGT observed that BMC did not provide clear information on the rules or provisions under which the funds were utilized, nor whether the usage complied with the relevant notification regarding fund allocation. The matter has been directed to be clarified by both the BMC and the State Pollution Control Board before the next hearing.

Advocate Harshvardhan Tiwari submitted objections to the compliance report, raising various concerns. Tiwari, representing petitioner Rashid Noor Khan, emphasized that the use of environmental protection schemes and the funds allocated for them must be in line with their intended objectives and relevant regulations, expecting transparent and factual compliance from the authorities.