Demolish all structures in Yamuna flood-plains: Tribunal

The National Green Tribunal has authorised demolition of all structures and unauthorised buildings in the flood-plains of the Yamuna river.

The May 20 order cleared the way for demolition of all structures all the way from Delhi to Agra in the Yamuna's flood-plains.

"If the order is implemented, thousands of buildings will be bulldozed," said environmentalist Shravan Kumar Singh.

Officials of the Agra Development Authority and Mathura-Vrindavan Development Authority, police and irrigation department officials went into a huddle and worked out strategies to comply with the order in four weeks.

The tribunal has fixed the responsibility for implementing the order on the district officials and the police chiefs of various cities along the river.

Eco-activist Ravi Singh said, "District authorities really have no way out. The order is clear without any ambiguities."

Agra Development Authority vice chairman Ajay Chauhan said that the identified illegal structures along the river bank would be demolished. Officials are drawing up the plan of action.

The petition filed in the National Green Tribunal by journalist Akash Vashisht demanded demolition of illegal structures in the Yamuna flood-plains.