The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has flagged significant environmental violations by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) during the construction of a highway over a protected pond in Goyla Khurd village, located in southwest Delhi. The tribunal directed the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) to impose a penalty on NHAI and mandated a comprehensive review of the environmental compliance within six months. The NGT highlighted that NHAI had constructed eight pillars in the pond, affecting an area of 20.36 square meters, which constitutes a violation of the Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2017. The tribunal emphasized that all construction within notified wetlands is prohibited and that compliance with environmental laws must be strictly enforced, regardless of the scale of the violation. Furthermore, NHAI is required to ensure transparency in future projects, including full disclosure of environmental impacts on natural resources. A joint inspection by DPCC and NHAI will assess the damage caused to the pond and recommend restoration measures, with NHAI required to implement these within six months. The DPCC will also determine the compensation for environmental damage and ensure recovery in accordance with the law.