NEW DELHI, APRIL 12, 2025 — The Supreme Court of India has directed the State of Bihar and the Union of India to file a detailed status report on the issue of illegal encroachments along the banks of the River Ganga. The Court emphasized that it needs a clear picture of the steps taken so far, the number of encroachments still remaining, and a specific timeline for their removal.

A Division Bench comprising Justice JB Pardiwala and Justice KV Vishwanathan made the remarks during a hearing in the matter titled Ashok Kumar Sinha v. Union of India & Ors. (Civil Appeal No. 3367 of 2020).

“We would like to know what steps have been taken by the authorities to remove all such encroachments over the banks of river Ganga,” the Bench stated.
“We would also like to know how many such encroachments are still there as on date on the banks of the river and in what manner authorities propose to remove all such encroachments & within what period of time,” it added.

SURVEY IDENTIFIES 151 UNAUTHORIZED STRUCTURES

The Court was informed about a Balance Measurement Survey conducted from Digha Ghat to Mahatma Gandhi Setu, which revealed a total of 151 unauthorized constructions along the Ganga’s banks. These included both temporary and permanent structures.

The survey mapped private or raiyati land using plot and khesra numbers. However, some adjacent areas remained unsurveyed due to seasonal flood risks, and any unapproved private construction in these areas was marked as encroachment.

MOEF & CC AFFIDAVIT FOCUSED ON POLLUTION, NOT ENCROACHMENTS

Earlier, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) had submitted an affidavit addressing plastic waste management and its impact on river ecosystems. The Court, however, clarified that:

“The current concern before it was not merely pollution but specifically the issue of encroachments along the banks of the river Ganga.”

EARLIER ORDERS AND USE OF GEO-MAPPING

The Court referred to its earlier directions dated December 16, 2022, and February 2, 2023, which had asked the authorities to identify illegal structures using geo-mapping technology and submit corresponding survey-based reports.

COURT AWAITS STATUS REPORT BEFORE FINAL DIRECTIONS

Stressing the urgency of the matter, the Bench noted:

“Before we proceed to issue final directions in this matter, we would like to have a report in this regard by the next date of hearing.”

The Supreme Court has now instructed both the State of Bihar and the Union of India to submit a comprehensive report detailing:

• The number of encroachments still existing
• Steps taken to remove them so far
• The proposed action plan and
• A definite timeframe for the removal process

LEGAL REPRESENTATION

Cause Title: Ashok Kumar Sinha v. Union of India & Ors. (Civil Appeal No. 3367/2020)

FOR THE APPELLANT

• Advocate-on-Record: Neeraj Kumar Sharma
• Advocates: Akash Vashishitha, Nidhi Agarwal

FOR THE RESPONDENTS

• Additional Solicitor General: Aishwarya Bhati
• AORs: Dr. N. Visakamurthy, Gurmeet Singh Makker, Azmat Hayat Amanullah, Manish Kumar, Chandrika Prasad Mishra
• Advocates: Manisha Chava, Suyash Vyas, Annirudh Sharma-II, Rebecca Mishra, Sagar Chauhan, Santosh Kumar, Navanjay Mahapatra, Ruchi Kohli, Swarupama Chaturvedi.