Demarcate Yamuna floodplains in Agra within 3 weeks: NGT

National Green Tribunal today directed a panel of scientists and officials from National Institute of Hydrology, Central Water Commission and other agencies to fix pillars and demarcate the Yamuna floodplains in Agra within three weeks.
A bench, headed by NGT chief Justice Swatanter Kumar, asked the committee to demarcate the floodplain with respect to 2010, which happens to be the year in which the flood level was the maximum and was recorded at 152.52 metres.
"We direct the members of the committee and the officers to complete the demarcation and delineation of the floodplain line within three weeks... All the pillars would be physically examined and the committee shall physically measure the area occupied by builders that falls within the floodplains," the bench said and posted the matter for hearing on February 21.

The green panel's direction came in the wake of objections raised by Agra residents Umashankar Patwa and Shabi Haider Jafri, through their advocate Rahul Choudhary, alleging that many buildings have been built right on the floodplain and even on the river itself.
The NGT had constituted the committee and directed the scientists from the two agencies to help Agra authorities re- fix the pillars at specific distances of the ongoing projects on the floodplains.
Besides the scientists, the members the committee also include officials from Irrigation Department, UP government, state pollution control board, UP Jal Nigam, Agra Nagar Nigam, Agra Development Authority.

The NGT had earlier hit out at the Uttar Pradesh government and Agra authorities for "improper" demarcation of Yamuna floodplains and fixation of pillars, saying that 85 per cent of the buildings on the riverbed were liable to be demolished.