The National Green Tribunal Southern Zone Bench, Chennai hears environmental cases from Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Lakshadweep, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu and Telangana. We help residents, RWAs, industries and project developers file, defend and appeal cases before it.
The NGT was set up under the National Green Tribunal Act, 2010 to decide environmental disputes quickly; the Act asks it to try to decide cases within six months.
Is this your situation?
- A pollution board refused, cancelled or attached conditions to your consent and you want to appeal
- An environmental clearance or forest clearance was granted to a project you want to challenge
- A unit, project or builder near you is polluting and the regulators are not acting
- You want compensation for damage caused by pollution or an industrial accident
- You have been asked to pay environmental compensation and want to contest it
- A case has been filed against your unit or project before the Southern Zone Bench, Chennai
States and union territories this bench covers
| State / UT | Pollution board or committee | Our state page |
|---|---|---|
| Andhra Pradesh | Andhra Pradesh Pollution Control Board (APPCB) | Environmental lawyer for Andhra Pradesh |
| Karnataka | Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) | Environmental lawyer for Karnataka |
| Kerala | Kerala State Pollution Control Board | Environmental lawyer for Kerala |
| Lakshadweep | Lakshadweep Pollution Control Committee | Environmental lawyer for Lakshadweep |
| Puducherry | Puducherry Pollution Control Committee | Environmental lawyer for Puducherry |
| Tamil Nadu | Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) | Environmental lawyer for Tamil Nadu |
| Telangana | Telangana State Pollution Control Board | Environmental lawyer for Telangana |
Laws the NGT applies
The Tribunal hears cases on a substantial question about the environment arising under the seven Acts in Schedule I of the NGT Act:
Time limits
| What you file | Time limit | Extension |
|---|---|---|
| Application on a substantial environmental question (Section 14) | Within 6 months of the date the cause of action first arose | Up to 60 more days for sufficient cause |
| Claim for relief or compensation (Section 15) | Within 5 years of the date the cause first arose | Up to 60 more days for sufficient cause |
| Appeal against an order under a scheduled Act (Section 16) | Within 30 days of the order being communicated | Up to 60 more days for sufficient cause |
| Appeal from the NGT to the Supreme Court (Section 22) | Within 90 days of the NGT order being communicated | The Supreme Court may allow a delayed appeal for sufficient cause |
How an NGT case usually runs
Check time limit and forum
Confirm the NGT can hear the matter and that you are within time.
Collect the record
Orders, consents, clearances, photographs, test reports and correspondence.
Draft and file
Application or appeal filed online through the NGT portal, with the required fee.
First hearing
The bench decides whether to issue notice, call for reports or appoint a committee.
Reports and replies
Joint committee or regulator reports, and replies from all sides.
Final order and compliance
Directions, compensation or dismissal, and follow-up on compliance.
How we work
We are a litigation and advisory practice led by Advocate BK Singh, with offices in Dwarka (New Delhi) and Vaishali (Ghaziabad). Many NGT cases start as a board notice or a consent refusal, so we look at the regulator stage first; detailed NGT litigation is handled by our practice at ngtadvocates.com.
- Time limits first: we tell you the deadline before anything else.
- Board and tribunal work together: regulator replies, appeals and NGT filings.
- Hearings in person or by video: as the bench lists the matter.
- Written fee terms: agreed stage by stage, never linked to the outcome.
All NGT benches
NGT Principal Bench, New Delhi (Northern Zone) · NGT Central Zone Bench, Bhopal · NGT Western Zone Bench, Pune · NGT Eastern Zone Bench, Kolkata · Compare all benches
Frequently Asked Questions
Which states does the NGT Southern Zone Bench, Chennai cover?
Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Lakshadweep, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu and Telangana.
How long do I have to file an application in the NGT?
Six months from the date the cause of action first arose, under Section 14 of the NGT Act. The Tribunal can allow up to 60 more days for sufficient cause.
How long do I have to appeal a pollution board or clearance order?
Thirty days from the date the order is communicated, under Section 16. The Tribunal can allow up to 60 more days for sufficient cause.
Where does an appeal from the NGT go?
To the Supreme Court of India, within 90 days of the NGT order being communicated, under Section 22.
Can I file without visiting the bench?
Yes. Filing is done online through the NGT portal, and hearings can take place in person or by video as the bench lists them.
Can the NGT hear a Wildlife Act case?
The Wild Life (Protection) Act is not one of the scheduled Acts, so such cases usually go to the High Court or the criminal courts. Forest clearance appeals do go to the NGT.
Case before the Southern Zone Bench, Chennai?
Send us the order or notice. We will tell you the deadline and the next step.
This page gives general information about environmental law as it stood when it was last reviewed. It is not legal advice on your case and does not promise any result. Tribunal procedure, time limits and listing practice change, so check the current position for your matter before acting.
Need help with NGT Southern Zone Bench, Chennai?
Send us the notice, the order or a few photos. We'll tell you where you stand, which authority or NGT bench deals with it and when the next step is due, in plain words.
