On February 17–18, 2026, the National Green Tribunal passed key interim orders halting river desilting in Punjab, seeking compliance verification in a road project, and directing reports on a Delhi pond encroachment case.

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NGT stayed desilting of rivers across multiple Punjab drainage divisions until further orders, citing need for environmental clearances before commercial excavation activities.

Auction notice issued October 17, 2025 for desilting at critical river sites challenged for allegedly bypassing mandatory environmental approvals.

Tribunal issued notices to Punjab Mining Department, State Environment Impact Assessment Authority, Pollution Control Boards and other authorities.

Applicant cited earlier tribunal ruling declaring commercial desilting without environmental clearance illegal under established legal precedent.

In Sirhind-Patiala four-laning project, NGT granted MoEFCC time to verify compliance with Stage-I forest clearance conditions.

Allegations include large-scale tree cutting and non-compliance with approved compensatory afforestation and layout plan conditions.

MoEFCC affidavit stated final forest approval granted January 18, 2024 after reviewing state compliance reports.

In Delhi case, NGT directed MCD and DPCC to submit reports within six weeks on Savitri Nagar pond encroachment removal steps.