Supreme Court Orders Ganga Encroachment Report

New Delhi, March 15, 2026 - The Supreme Court of India has ordered the central government and the National Mission for Clean Ganga to submit a detailed report on illegal constructions and encroachments along the banks and floodplains of the Ganga River, directing them to outline steps taken to address the issue across multiple states.

A bench led by Justices J.B. Pardiwala and K.V. Viswanathan issued the directive during a hearing on Friday, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive assessment beyond localized disputes. The court instructed the authorities to document progress on implementing a 2016 notification under the Environment Protection Act, aimed at the rejuvenation, protection, and management of the Ganga and its tributaries. This notification, issued by the Ministry of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation on October 7, seeks to maintain ecological flow and combat pollution, including plastic waste and unauthorized structures choking the river.

The bench posed specific questions to the government, including: "What are the impediments or hurdles coming in the way of the National Mission for Clean Ganga in giving effect to the better and effective...