SC asks Centre for detailed plan to remove Ganga river encroachments

The Supreme Court of India has directed the Centre to submit a comprehensive report on illegal constructions and encroachments along the banks and floodplains of the Ganga river , seeking details on the steps taken so far to protect and restore one of India’s most vital natural resources.

A bench of Justices J.B. Pardiwala and K.V. Viswanathan asked the Union government to place on record the progress made in implementing the official notification aimed at the rejuvenation, protection, and management of the Ganga . The court also sought clarity on the challenges faced by authorities in enforcing these rules.

The bench questioned the government about the obstacles preventing the National Mission for Clean Ganga Authority from effectively implementing the notification . It also asked what further steps the authority plans to take to ensure that the riverbanks and floodplains remain free from illegal encroachments across all states through which the river flows.

Recognising the scale of the issue, the court issued notices to several Ganga basin states , stating that the matter requires a broader examination beyond isolated cases of encroachment . The next hearing in the matter has been scheduled for April 23 .

During the proceedings, advocate Akash Vashishtha , representing the petitioner, informed the court that large-scale encroachments exist along the Ganga’s banks , posing serious threats to the river’s ecological balance. He also pointed out that certain stretches of the riverbanks are important habitats for freshwater dolphins , a protected species and an indicator of the river’s ecological health.

The Supreme Court also asked the Centre to clarify what kind of directions the National Mission for Clean Ganga Authority might require from the court to ensure meaningful enforcement of regulations aimed at protecting the river’s floodplains and banks .

The case stems from a petition filed by Patna resident Ashok Kumar Sinha , who challenged a June 30, 2020 order of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) . The tribunal had dismissed his plea that raised concerns about illegal constructions and permanent encroachments on the ecologically sensitive floodplains of the Ganga .

With the court now seeking a detailed status report and examining the issue at a broader level, the case could become a significant step in addressing long-standing concerns over the protection of the Ganga and its fragile ecosystem.