NGT Imposes ₹6.45 Crore Penalty on Pune Township for Violating Environmental Clearance Norms
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has slapped a ₹6.45 crore penalty on a Pune township project for bypassing environmental clearance norms. The project, developed by the Nyati Group, was found to exceed the 20,000 sq m threshold for mandatory clearance.
NgtPuneEnvironmental ClearanceReal EstateNyati GroupReal Estate PuneSep 22, 2025
The order was delivered on Monday by a bench of Justice Dinesh Kumar Singh and expert member Vijay Kulkarni. At the core of the case was whether the residential complex, spread across several survey numbers and phases, constituted one integrated township or a cluster of independent projects.
Applicant Tanaji Gambhire, a resident of Pune, argued that the development functioned as a single township with common infrastructure and shared amenities. By presenting it in phases and obtaining separate permissions, the developer sought to bypass the EIA Notification, 2006, which requires prior EC for projects exceeding 20,000 sq m of built-up area.
The tribunal upheld the contention. In its 35-page order, it recorded that the township comprised 19 buildings—including residential towers, a commercial block, a clubhouse, and amenity structures—spread over more than 50,000 sq m of constructed area. Taken together, the project’s built-up area exceeded 78,000 sq m, well above the clearance threshold.
The NGT noted that while the promoter had applied for an EC in 2012 for the entire township, subsequent phase-wise sanctions from the collector and later the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) portrayed each phase as below 20,000 sq m. “This was a deliberate attempt to evade the law,” the bench observed.
The order also pointed to sale deeds granting flat buyers common access to facilities such as clubhouses, swimming pools, gyms, children’s play areas, and landscaped gardens. Cooperative housing societies were contractually bound to share maintenance costs, reinforcing that the development was a single integrated project.
Relying on the Supreme Court’s 2018 ruling in Goel Ganga Developers vs Union of India, the tribunal pegged the project’s construction cost at ₹129 crore and imposed 5% of it as compensation.
The tribunal directed the promoter to deposit ₹6.45 crore with the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) within two months. The MPCB must use the funds for environmental improvement within a five-km radius of the project within six months and submit a compliance report to the tribunal.
“The order is factually incorrect, and we will be appealing before the higher authorities. The Nyati Group has complied with all regulations, and our projects have been developed in phases with separate land parcels, access points, and services. The fact that these projects share a common name does not make them a single project. They are distinct in size and scope, and no norms have been violated,” said Harish Shroff, director, sales and marketing, Nyati Group.
On August 27, a developer was fined ₹1.7 crore for violations in a residential project on Katraj–Kondhwa Road. Less than two weeks later, on September 5, another builder was fined ₹2.55 crore for irregularities in a Pimpri-Chinchwad township.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the National Green Tribunal (NGT)?
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) is a specialized body established under the National Green Tribunal Act, 2010, to handle environmental disputes. It provides a forum for effective and expeditious disposal of cases relating to environmental protection and conservation of forests and other natural resources.
What is the EIA Notification, 2006?
The EIA (Environmental Impact Assessment) Notification, 2006, is a legal framework in India that mandates environmental clearance for certain projects based on their potential impact on the environment. It sets out the procedures and criteria for obtaining environmental clearance.
Why was the ₹6.45 crore penalty imposed?
The ₹6.45 crore penalty was imposed because the Nyati Group's township project in Undri, Pune, was found to have bypassed the environmental clearance norms by presenting the project in phases to avoid the 20,000 sq m threshold for mandatory clearance.
What is the role of the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB)?
The Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) is a statutory organization responsible for preventing and controlling water, air, and land pollution in the state of Maharashtra. It enforces various environmental laws and regulations and works to improve environmental quality.
How can residents ensure their projects comply with environmental norms?
Residents and developers can ensure compliance with environmental norms by obtaining all necessary clearances and permits, adhering to the guidelines set by the EIA Notification, and engaging in transparent and ethical practices. Regular audits and inspections can also help in maintaining compliance.
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