The southern bench of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has impleaded Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) and a Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) fuel outlet dealer as additional respondents in the suo motu case concerning alleged petrol contamination of groundwater in Kovilambakkam.

The case was initiated by the NGT based on a news report which highlighted residents' concerns over petrol allegedly mixing with groundwater in the locality.

A Bench comprising judicial member Justice Pushpa Sathyanarayana and expert member Prashant Gargava, in an order passed on July 28, allowed an application to implead HPCL as the seventh respondent.

The Bench also suo motu impleaded Immanuel Agency, a BPCL dealer operating a fuel outlet on Medavakkam Main Road, Kovilambakkam, as the eighth respondent, observing that the dealer was a necessary party to the proceedings.

The Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board, HPCL and the newly impleaded fuel outlet dealer have been directed to file their respective reports or replies before the next hearing. The Bench also allowed an application to advance the hearing from September 2 to August 24, 2026, when the matter will next be taken up.

Published - August 02, 2026 04:06 pm IST