The ambitious “Tiger Road” or Ring Road project in Manipur has been suspended immediately by the National Green Tribunal’s Eastern Zone Bench due to significant legal and environmental violations. The Coordination Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) submitted a petition alleging that the project was being carried out without the required statutory clearances. The instruction was given on December 23. The Tribunal emphasized that environmental protections cannot be disregarded in the name of development by citing the Precautionary Principle under Section 20 of the NGT Act, 2010. As NGT halts ‘Tiger Road’ construction in Manipur, the decision has brought renewed focus on governance, accountability, and ecological protection in the state’s fragile hill regions.

The bench, made up of Justice Arun Kumar Tyagi and Expert Member Ishwar Singh, halted all building work until the next hearing, set for February 2, 2026. The Tribunal also expressed dissatisfaction with the Manipur government’s response, noting that, despite several opportunities, the Chief Secretary did not provide a preliminary report.

Ecological Risks and Alleged Violations

Khuraijam Athouba, COCOMI‘s spokesperson, filed the petition on August 20, outlining several alleged infractions related to the Tiger Road project. The proposed road’s passage through hilly, forested areas in multiple ecologically sensitive districts raises concerns about irreparable environmental harm.

Important accusations made in front of the Tribunal include:

• Lack of statutory approvals: It is said that the project did not have the necessary no-objection certifications, forest clearance, or environmental clearance.
• Encroachment into sensitive zones: Forest and hill areas in the Churachandpur, Kangpokpi, Noney, and Ukhrul districts showed active construction, according to satellite images provided to the NGT.
• Official confirmations: According to information gathered from the Rural Engineering Department, the Forest Department, and the Directorate of Environment and Climate Change, no approvals had been granted.

These findings strengthened the case for judicial intervention, reinforcing that the NGT halts ‘Tiger Road’ construction in Manipur was deemed necessary to prevent further ecological harm.

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Tribunal Guidelines and Administrative Responsibility

In addition to halting construction, the NGT imposed strict administrative guidelines to ensure compliance with its directive. The Tribunal noted that the state’s tardiness in submitting reports demonstrated a lack of commitment to environmental stewardship.

The following instructions and observations are included in the order:

• Strict enforcement: The Chief Secretary of Manipur has instructed District Magistrates and Superintendents of Police in six districts to ensure that no building activity takes place.
• Use of the Precautionary Principle: The Tribunal emphasized that the absence of complete scientific certainty cannot be used as an excuse for delaying precautionary measures when environmental damage is suspected.
• Security and misuse concerns: COCOMI also claimed that certain sections of the road were being used for illicit purposes, increasing environmental hazards, and affecting security.

COCOMI applauded the Tribunal’s action and described it as confirmation of long-standing worries about illegal building in forest regions. The case has since become emblematic of broader debates on development versus conservation in the Northeast, with NGT halting ‘Tiger Road’ construction in Manipur standing as a significant judicial check on unregulated infrastructure expansion.

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