NGT slams ADA over construction on Yamuna floodplains

The National Green Tribunal has come down heavily on Agra Development Authority (ADA) for allowing construction by builders on the flood plains of river Yamuna city and also sought response from the developers on the matter.
A bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar also directed ADA to inform it about the mechanism adopted by the builders for collection and disposal of Municipal Solid Waste.
Taking ADA to task, the bench asked: "what are you (ADA) people doing? According to the statement made, various builders and developers have violated, breached and/or trespassed on the flood plain by raising constructions...How have you allowed them? You tell us on what basis the flood plains has been demarcated."

"We direct the counsel appearing for Development Authority to place on record status of these 19 builders in relation to collection and disposal of Municipal Solid Waste; sewage connection and establishment of STPs and manner of disposal of treated sewage water," it said.
During the hearing, the counsel for ADA filed tabulated information, based on the map filed by the UP Irrigation Department, of builders who were building on the floodplains.
The counsel appearing for various builders assured the bench that they would put up Sewage Treatment Plants to ensure discharge of only treated waste takes place.

The matter was listed for next hearing on July 8.

The tribunal had earlier issued notice to these builders to show cause why compensation in terms of Section 15 and 17 of the National Green Tribunal Act, 2010 should not be imposed on them and why appropriate directions not passed regarding their structure which were violative of environmental laws.
It had also imposed a fine of Rs 1 lakh on Agra Municipal Corporation for dumping of waste on the floodplains of river Yamuna in the city, noting that the civic body has failed to perform its duty and protect the environment.
The tribunal was hearing a plea filed by Agra resident DK Joshi, also a member of a committee formed by the Supreme Court to study pollution and waste management in Agra.

Joshi had sought removal of all construction activities running without environmental clearance on the flood plain and riverbed of Yamuna in Agra.