Order of the National Green Tribunal regarding bridge construction over the Yamuna flood-plains by DMRC, 05/02/2020

Order of the National Green Tribunal in the matter of Manoj Misra & Others Vs Union of India & Others dated 05/02/2020 regarding constructing a bridge on the Yamuna flood plains under Phase -IV of the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) project.

The NGT after going through the report submitted by the principal committee said that "prima facie" there is no objection to the project, but the project should be compliant with legal requirements and procedures. The tribunal also suggested that to ensure further environmental safeguards for river Yamuna and its flood plains on account of such activities in future, besides "besides individual evaluation of such projects on environmental yardstick, Cumulative Impact Assessment is required to be carried out."

The principal committee has been asked to consider setting up of artificial wetlands, bio-diversity parks and other necessary mitigation measures, including phyto-remediation at the mouth of drains leading to the river, at the cost of project proponents.