 has directed the Uttarakhand Pollution Control Board (UKPCB) to strictly verify the Consent to Operate){kind=link}
The National Green Tribunal has directed the Uttarakhand Pollution Control Board to verify the operating status
July 10, 2026: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed the Uttarakhand Pollution Control Board (UKPCB) to strictly verify the Consent to Operate (CTO) status of 49 hotels accused of violating environmental regulations. The order was issued by an NGT bench headed by Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava and Expert Member Afroz Ahmad while hearing a petition filed by Kartik Sharma. The Tribunal instructed the Board to submit a fresh compliance report within six weeks.
According to the Action Taken Report submitted by the UKPCB, environmental compensation has been imposed on 19 hotels for prolonged violations of environmental norms. While some establishments have challenged the penalties before appellate authorities, others are yet to deposit the compensation amount. The Board also informed the Tribunal that show-cause notices were issued to the remaining 30 hotels, with compensation already imposed on 12 of them and proceedings against the remaining 18 nearing completion.
During the hearing, the Tribunal observed that the UKPCB failed to clearly explain the current CTO status of the 49 hotels. The NGT directed the Board to ensure that no hotel operates without a valid Consent to Operate and that all establishments comply fully with environmental regulations. The matter has been listed for further hearing on September 21, when the Board is expected to present its updated compliance report.