Expedite demarcation of Yamuna floodplain: NGT

The Principal Bench of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed the Government of NCT of Delhi (GNCTD) to expedite the demarcation of the Yamuna floodplain along a 22-kilometre stretch from Wazirabad to Palla. The order came during the hearings of original applications No 537/2023 and 572/2024, which were filed following media reports highlighting flooding and the absence of clear floodplain boundaries in Delhi.

The GNCTD had submitted a status report indicating that preliminary mapping using Survey of India data and 1-metre contours had been prepared by Geospatial Delhi Limited, but no ground verification had been conducted. The report also mentioned that the Central Water and Power Research Station (CWPRS), Pune, had been tasked with a study, which faced technical issues and was projected for completion by August 2026.

The NGT bench, headed by Justice Prakash Shrivastava and Expert Member Dr Afroz Ahmad, observed that relying on the CWPRS for the demarcation was unnecessary, noting that similar exercises in other states had been completed quickly once requisite data was available. The Tribunal described the August 2026 timeline as “unreasonable” and directed the Delhi authorities to carry out an expeditious ground-level demarcation.

The GNCTD has been asked to submit a fresh report within two weeks with a shorter, practical timeline for completing the exercise. The matter is now listed for further hearing on March 25, 2026.