New Delhi, March 15 The Supreme Court has directed the Centre to submit a comprehensive report on illegal constructions along the banks and floodplains of the Ganga river and inform about the steps taken to remove encroachments.
A bench comprising Justices JB Pardiwala and KV Viswanathan asked the Union government to place on record the steps taken so far for the implementation and execution of the notification on the rejuvenation, protection, and management of the Ganga.
"What are the impediments or hurdles that are coming in the way of the Authority (National Mission for Clean Ganga Authority) in giving effect to the better and effective implementation of the notification mentioned above?
"What steps does the Authority intend to take to protect the Ganga river that flows through all the States, and ensure that the riverbanks and floodplains are free of all encroachments?" the bench asked.
The top court issued notices to several Ganga basin states and said that the issue required a broader examination beyond individual cases.
The matter is listed for the next hearing on April 23.
During the hearing, advocate Akash Vashishtha, appearing for the petitioner, submitted that there are large-scale encroachments all along the banks which require immediate attention, and pointed out that some parts of these riverbanks are very rich in freshwater dolphins.
The apex court also sought to know from the Centre what type of directions the Authority would like to seek from this Court to give meaningful effect to the notification to make the riverbanks and the Ganga river absolutely free of all encroachments.
The top court was hearing a plea filed by Patna resident Ashok Kumar Sinha against the June 30, 2020 order of the NGT dismissing his plea against illegal constructions and permanent encroachments on the eco-fragile floodplains.