Tribunal gives Uttar Pradesh 4 weeks to clear riverbed

The national green tribunal (NGT) has come down heavily on the Uttar Pradesh government and told its officials to clear debris from the Yamuna riverbed in four weeks. Darpan Singh reports.

The national green tribunal (NGT) has come down heavily on the Uttar Pradesh government and told its officials to clear debris from the Yamuna riverbed in four weeks.

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The tribunal had on September 17 directed the Uttar Pradesh irrigation department to remove all debris within its jurisdiction, irrespective of who had dumped it.

The tribunal had observed the debris was causing pollution and was hazardous to the river ecosystem, flow of water and to the inhabitants who use the water.

A two-member bench of Justices AS Naidu and Dr GK Pandey, while hearing an ongoing case (filed by Manoj Misra vs the Union of India and others this February) said on Wednesday, "It appears that no steps have been taken by the irrigation department to comply with the order. Instead, a prayer has been made to the department for more time to file a reply"

"The department has scant regard for the rule of law... However, we take a liberal view and grant four weeks for the department to remove all the debris (from the riverbed)," the bench said.