Hyderabad: A citizen’s letter warning of environmental damage from granite quarrying near Pandavulagutta in Karimnagar district has resulted in three mining units paying ₹9.8 lakh as environmental compensation following proceedings before the National Green Tribunal (NGT).Sudhagoni Vishnu, a resident of Ullampally village, had complained that semi-mechanised colour granite quarrying in Bommanapally village of Chigurumamidi mandal threatened the heritage mound, surrounding farmland and local livelihoods.The NGT’s principal bench registered the complainant’s letter as a suo motu case in 2023 and transferred it to the southern zone in Chennai, where it was renumbered in 2024. On Feb 8, 2024, the tribunal constituted a joint committee comprising the Karimnagar district collector, divisional forest officer and Telangana Pollution Control Board (TGPCB).The three leases inspected were Sushmitha Granites, spread over 2.5 hectares; Sree Sakthi Ganapathi Rocks, over two hectares; and Mathru Sri Granites, over 3.6 hectares. All three held environmental clearances and quarry lease work orders.Following an NGT direction dated June 6, 2025, TGPCB conducted 24-hour ambient air-quality monitoring. PM10 levels at the three quarry peripheries were above the national standard of 100 micrograms per cubic metre: 102 at Sushmitha Granites, 108 at Sree Sakthi Ganapathi Rocks and 105 at Mathru Sri Granites. At the common periphery, eight-hour readings touched 116. Ullampally village, 1.2 km away, recorded 59.Water samples from borewells and open wells within and around the mining area, however, remained within permissible drinking-water limits.Penalty calculated at ₹5,000 a dayAn inspection found that Sree Sakthi Ganapathi Rocks was operating after its Consent for Operation expired on Jan 31, 2025. None of the three units maintained water-consumption records. The mines also lacked environmental-monitoring display boards and retention or toe walls at overburdened dumps. TGPCB issued show-cause notices under the Air Act.On Feb 24, 2026, NGT directed TGPCB to calculate compensation for breaches of environmental-clearance conditions. The board applied the Central Pollution Control Board formula, fixing compensation at ₹5,000 for every operational day of violation.For the 212-day period from July 15, 2025, to Feb 12, 2026, Sushmitha Granites was held liable for 102 days and fined ₹5.1 lakh. Sree Sakthi Ganapathi Rocks was assessed for 52 days and fined ₹2.6 lakh, while Mathru Sri Granites was fined ₹2.1 lakh for 43 days. Documented non-operational days were excluded.TGPCB issued the levy orders in July. The three firms deposited their amounts.
