The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has expressed its dissatisfaction with the ongoing illegal constructions along the banks of the Ganges River in Uttar Pradesh, demanding a response from the state government. The tribunal has asked the UP government to explain how these constructions are continuing despite the ban on such activities along the riverbanks. Additionally, the court has requested a detailed definition of the floodplain zone and sought clarity on its boundaries.
The UP government informed the NGT that it has established a floodplain zone to completely eradicate pollution in the Ganges and to halt illegal constructions along its banks. This initiative is being carried out in two phases: the first from Bijnor to Unnao and the second from Unnao district to Ballia in Purvanchal. The task of monitoring and prevention in the first phase has been entrusted to the Central Water Commission, while the second phase is being handled by the National Institute of Hydrology in Roorkee.
Despite the High Court’s prohibition, constructions have been reported in the highest flood level areas from Bijnor to Ballia, exacerbating the annual flood situation in cities like Prayagraj.
The NGT , showing its concern over the constructions in the flood areas, has given the UP government a six-week deadline to submit its response. Advocates Vijay Srivastava and Sunita Sharma, representing the oldest public interest litigation in this matter, have urged the court to assign the monitoring and prevention tasks exclusively to the Central Water Commission. The NGT is scheduled to conduct further hearings on this issue on May 27th.
