Green court rejects yamuna flood plain report

AGRA: The National Green Tribunal has rejected its own appointed expert committee’s report on Yamuna flood plain zone in Agra, and directed administration’s officials to again conduct a demarcation drive and submit a report within three weeks. The tribunal will now hear the case on February 21.
The NGT in November last year had appointed senior scientists of National Institute of Hydrology, Roorkee, and the Central Water Commission to oversee re-identification and demarcation of Yamuna floodplain in Agra, keeping in mind the flood situation over the past 25 years.
Notably, petitioners had raised objections to the expert committee report on constructions in Yamuna flood plain zone in the city on the last date of hearing on January 18. Subsequently, the tribunal (NGT) had directed officials of various departments concerned to be present during the hearing on Monday.
Petitioner’s counsel Rahul Chaudhary said, “There were several discrepancies in the report. We have highlighted these points. Besides, the court also observed shortcomings in the report. One of the major issues was with reference to the highest flood level in the city while preparing the report. The same team has been asked to prepare a fresh report. The court said it could deploy a local commissioner once again to inspect the ground reality.”
The hearing pertains to a May 2015 petition filed by an Agra resident, DK Joshi, who had alleged several irregularities in the Yamuna flood plain zone, besides dumping of waste in the river. Following Joshi’s death in November 2016, the case is being pursued by his nominees.