Vrindavan Today | Bureau Report:
10th June, 2026, New Delhi / Vrindavan, The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has taken cognizance of allegations that the ongoing Yamuna riverfront development project at Keshi Ghat in Vrindavan is being executed in violation of environmental permissions granted by the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) and the Taj Trapezium Zone (TTZ) Authority.
The matter came up before a bench comprising Justice Prakash Shrivastava, Chairperson, and Dr. Afroz Ahmad, Expert Member, in petition filed by Sharad Gupta.
The applicant alleged that the Irrigation and Water Resources Department, Ministry of Jal Shakti, Government of Uttar Pradesh, is carrying out construction activities beyond the scope permitted under various statutory clearances. Counsel for the applicant informed the Tribunal that the TTZ Authority, while granting permission on July 30, 2024, had imposed several conditions, including obtaining prior approval from the NMCG, ensuring scientific treatment of drains discharging into the Yamuna, strict compliance with environmental norms, and adherence to all permissions issued by concerned authorities.
The petitioner further drew the Tribunal’s attention to the NMCG’s approval dated October 6, 2025, granted under Section 42 of the River Ganga (Rejuvenation, Protection and Management) Authority Order, 2016.
According to the approval, permission was restricted solely to the restoration and beautification of the existing 225-metre-old ghat situated on the Yamuna in Vrindavan.
A key condition of the approval explicitly stated that any construction activity beyond the approved restoration plan would require a fresh application and prior approval from the competent authority.
The applicant alleged that the executing agency has expanded construction beyond the approved area and is carrying out works deep inside the river channel. Photographs placed before the Tribunal were cited as evidence of the alleged violations. It was also contended that no details of consent or No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board (UPPCB) were available on the Board’s online portal, raising questions about regulatory compliance.
After hearing the submissions, the Tribunal observed that the application raises a substantial issue relating to compliance with environmental norms.
The NGT issued notices to the respondents and granted four weeks’ time to the State authorities and other concerned respondents to file their replies. The applicant has been directed to serve notice upon the remaining respondents and submit an affidavit of service before the next hearing.
Importantly, the Tribunal directed the Irrigation Department to strictly adhere to all conditions contained in the permissions and NOCs issued by the NMCG and the TTZ Authority during the pendency of the matter.
The Tribunal also allowed an oral request made by the applicant to implead the Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board as a respondent in the case. The applicant has been permitted to amend the memo of parties and serve notice upon the newly added respondent.
The matter is expected to further examine whether the riverfront development works at Keshi Ghat conform to the environmental safeguards and regulatory approvals intended to protect the fragile Yamuna river ecosystem and the heritage character of Vrindavan.
