NGT notice to builders over Yamuna flood plains structures

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Monday issued notice to builders who had constructed multi-storeyed structures on the Yamuna flood plains in Agra, asking them to prove they had all the required No Objection Certificates (NOCs) from government departments.

The NGT restrained the builders from third-party sales and further construction till the next date of hearing on July 28.

The NGT directed 15 builders, identified by the Agra Development Authority (ADA), to file affidavits that they had all the necessary permissions.

Some buildings were sealed by the ADA last week.

The ADA, Jal Nigam, irrigation department and other agencies will jointly inspect the flood plains and identify the encroachments.

The directives come on a petition filed by environmentalist D.K. Joshi.

Joshi's lawyer Rahul Choudhary told IANS that the state government agencies have also to find out whether the multi-storeyed structures had sewer line connections or was the sewage being dumped into the river.