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Supreme Court Directs To Clear Ganga Bank Encroachments Within Six Weeks Today
The , led by Justice J.B. Pardiwala and Justice K.V. Viswanathan, has delivered a stern directive to the , ordering the immediate removal of all between Nauzar Ghat and Nurpur Ghat in Patna. This order mandates that the state administration clear these encroachments within six weeks, ensuring the preservation of the Ganga river’s .
Addressing Persistent Encroachment
The proceedings stem from a long-standing appeal, , which challenged the dismissal of a plea concerning illegal constructions on eco-fragile floodplains. Despite prior judicial intervention, the Supreme Court noted that the authorities had failed to take meaningful action, with hundreds of illegal structures continuing to occupy the riverbanks. The Court expressed significant concern, stating that existing from lower courts would not hinder this .
Broadening the Scope of River Conservation
The has expanded its oversight beyond Bihar, issuing a final warning to various states regarding their failure to provide comprehensive status reports on riverbank encroachments. The Court has now summoned information from the and the , emphasizing that any further delays from state administrations could lead to the summoning of their respective Chief Secretaries. Furthermore, the bench turned its attention to the Yamuna in Vrindavan, ordering a on all ongoing construction activity to prevent the further shrinking of the river channel.
Key Observations
The Court emphasized the environmental urgency of these actions through the following observations:
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"Our concern is to ensure that the ecological flow of water is maintained."
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"We grant six weeks’ time to the State of Bihar to ensure that each and every / construction and the encroachments are removed between Nauzar Ghat to Nurpur Ghat in Patna."
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"Irrespective of any order that may be in operation, our directions shall be fully complied with."
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"What has been highlighted in the is something very serious. It is a matter of concern."
Judicial Determination and Impact
The Supreme Court has mandated that the State of Bihar file a via by the next hearing, scheduled for . By setting aside conflicting district-level , the bench has reaffirmed its commitment to the . This decisive ruling underscores the judiciary’s role in protecting national river systems, signaling that environmental protection will take precedence over local legal impediments in the protection of floodplains across current basin states.
