Order of the National Green Tribunal in the matter of Akash Vashishtha Vs Union of India & Others dated 05/05/2020 regarding road being illegally constructed on the river bed of Yamuna in Vrindavan - Mathura between Shringarvat and Keshi Ghat and other illegal constructions, including multi-storied buildings, which had come up on the active floodplains and the riverbed of Yamuna in the town of Vrindavan.

Irreparable damage was being done to ancient Ghats by filling the steps of the ancient Ghats, including Cheer Ghat, Govind Ghat and Bhramar Ghat, had also been filled with construction rubble and debris to build an approach road to transport the construction rubble and debris, in order to reclaim land for the construction of the illegal metalled road. It was alleged that the said activities are in violation of River Ganga (Rejuvenation, Protection and Management) Authorities Order, 2016 and the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution Act) 1974.

A report dated 05.03.2020 has been received from the District Magistrate, Mathura alongwith the report of the Mathura Vrindavan Development Authority (MVDA) to the effect that the area was in the control of the Irrigation Department. No construction was permitted there. Some temporary huts have been constructed. The PWD had started construction of a semi-circle type bridge near Keshi Ghat which was removed on the orders of the High Court. Earlier, a temple was constructed illegally against which proceedings have been initiated. Temporary huts are removed from time to time.

The NGT directed the District Magistrate, Mathura to take further appropriate action in the matter in coordination with other authorities and furnish a further action taken report as the court said that it was“necessary to devise an appropriate mechanism to ensure that no such constructions take place in the flood plain zone so that the flow of the river is not in any manner adversely affected.”