New Delhi. The Supreme Court has taken a strict stance regarding illegal encroachment on the banks of river Ganga and in the flood zone. The court has given the Bihar government a final extension of eight weeks to remove illegal encroachments from the floodplain of Ganga. The court made it clear that after this no more time will be given in this case.
During the hearing of the case, the court expressed concern about the condition of Ganga and encroachment on the banks of the river. The Supreme Court has already sought detailed information from the concerned states about the status of encroachments present on the banks of the Ganga and in the flood plains and the steps taken to remove them. In March 2026, the court had sought a detailed report on the current situation from the Ganga-related states.
Notice was issued to 11 states
Expanding the scope of the case related to Ganga, the Supreme Court had sought information from states including Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Bihar, West Bengal, Jharkhand, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Delhi about the situation of encroachment on the river banks and flood areas. The court had also asked what steps have been taken so far to remove encroachment and conserve the Ganga.
Large number of illegal constructions identified in Bihar
In the report filed by the Bihar government, information has been given about identification of illegal construction and encroachment on the banks of Ganga in Patna area. As per Supreme Court records, illegal constructions were identified in various surveys and action has been initiated to remove them.
Decision to ban new hydropower projects in Alaknanda-Bhagirathi
The central government has said in an affidavit filed in the Supreme Court that apart from the seven already approved projects in the Alaknanda and Bhagirathi river valleys of Uttarakhand, new hydropower projects will not be supported. After the strictness of the Supreme Court, now the steps taken by the states to remove encroachment and demarcate the flood areas of the river will be monitored.