Order of the National Green Tribunal in the matter of Akash Vashishtha Vs Union of India & Others dated 20/12/2019 regarding illegal construction of a road on the river bed of Yamuna in Vrindavan, Mathura between Shringarvat and Keshi Ghat and other illegal constructions including multistoried buildings which have come up on the active floodplains and riverbed of the Yamuna in the town of Vrindavan.

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Irreparable damage has being done to ancient ghats by filling the steps of the ancient ghats. Ghats like Cheer Ghat, Govind Ghat and Bhramar Ghat, have 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.

Further, 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, as noted in the report of Prof. C.R. Babu dated 14.08.2019.

The NGT directs the allegations to be verified by a joint Committee comprising of Uttar Pradesh State PCB, Uttar Pradesh Irrigation Department and District Magistrate, Mathura. The joint Committee would look into the matter and furnish a factual and action taken report within one month.