The National Green Tribunal (NGT) dismissed a case concerning the construction of a Tirupati Balaji temple in Ulwe, Navi Mumbai, after the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) Trust assured that all construction would be restricted to non-Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) areas. The NGT’s western zonal bench, based in Thane, uploaded the order on August 10, 2025, following TTD’s sworn commitment to comply with environmental regulations.
The case stemmed from an application filed by NatConnect Foundation director B.N. Kumar, who alleged CRZ violations on the 40,000 square meter plot allotted to TTD by the City and Industrial Development Corporation (CIDCO) in April 2022. Kumar’s counsel, Ronita Bhattacharya, argued that permissions granted by the Maharashtra Coastal Zone Management Authority (MCZMA) breached CRZ norms.
A report by the Institute of Remote Sensing (IRS), commissioned by TTD, revealed that portions of the plot fell under various CRZ categories. However, the Coastal Zone Management Plan (CZMP) of 2019 reclassified the land, designating 29,523 square meters as non-CRZ, sufficient for the proposed main temple, drainage facilities, and roads.
The petitioner raised concerns about the plot’s location in a flood-prone zone, as per CIDCO records. On November 20, 2023, MCZMA approved TTD’s plans for a compound wall, fencing, and landscaping within the 50-meter mangrove buffer zone. During proceedings, TTD provided a formal undertaking, pledging no construction in CRZ areas and committing to seek prior permission for any use of restricted zones. Satisfied with TTD’s assurances, the applicant withdrew objections, leading to the NGT’s dismissal of the case.
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This resolution ensures that the Tirupati Balaji temple project adheres to environmental regulations, balancing cultural development with ecological preservation in Navi Mumbai’s coastal region.
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