Reply affidavit by Water Resources Department, Maharashtra in EA No 04/2022 (WZ) in the matter of Sarang Yadvadkar & Ors V/s The State of Maharashtra dated 23/04/2024.

The matter related to demarcating the flood lines in all areas where there is excessive rain and probability for endangering human life and properties.

WRD has categorized the rivers as priority-I, where there are high probabilities of damages to the areas around the river banks due to floods and priority-II where there are less probabilities compared to priority-I. The flood line demarcation work in the areas where there is excessive rainfall and probability of endangering human life and property, WRD has identified total 174 river stretches of 1608.83 km length, as priority-I, which were taken up on priority and flood line survey and demarcation of these stretches are completed.

The NGT was informed that WRD has completed all the works of flood lines marking in all the areas where there is excessive rainfall and where there is probability of endangering human life and properties due to floods, as per the order of the NGT, March 27, 2015. WRD has identified the critical stretches and demarcation of flood lines are completed in such critical stretches. Other stretches of rivers, which flow through less populated regions, where no major floods have occurred or which flow through forest/valleys, which have no/minimal impact on human life or properties are categorized as priority-II. The demarcation work in such stretches is being taken up as and when needed based upon the actual flood scenario.

"WRD on its own has selected such other stretches of river which flows through less flood prone areas, which has less probability of endangering the human life and properties, and categorized them as priority-II and has completed the work on flood line demarcation in such priority-II river stretches to an extent of 2544.83 km", which is in addition to the work instructed by the NGT order, March 27, 2015.