Palghar: Vasai School Gets Relief As NGT Dismisses Plea Alleging Illegal Construction, River Encroachment And Sewage Discharge

Mumbai, August 22, 2026 - The National Green Tribunal (NGT) dismissed an environmental application brought against Gnyanodaya Multipurpose High School & Jr. College in Vasai, alleging illegal construction, river encroachment, and untreated sewage discharge. The decision came following a report by a Joint Committee, which found no evidence to support the complaints.

Environmentalist Rajiv Bhagelu Gupta filed the plea, arguing that the school had constructed buildings close to a natural river course without maintaining a mandatory nine-metre buffer. The school denied the allegations, stating that the applicant had previously filed two petitions before the Bombay High Court, which resulted in the directions being followed.

The Joint Committee's inspection report, as recorded by the tribunal, confirmed that the school had obtained commencement certificates for the proposed construction and that completed construction was being used as a school. Additionally, the school provided two septic tanks, addressing the concern of untreated sewage discharge into a water body.

The Forest Department reported that the approach road to the old building required further examination regarding forest-law compliance. The NGT noted that the Joint Committee had not found any encroachment or illegal construction at the site, dismissing the application accordingly.