Patna: The Supreme Court has directed the Bihar government six weeks deadline to remove all unauthorised structures, constructions and encroachments between Nauzar Ghat and Nurpur Ghat in Patna. The case is part of a wider judicial examination of illegal encroachments along the Ganga and protection of its riverbanks and floodplains.
Patna Ganga Encroachments Case: What Did the Supreme Court Order Bihar to Do
A bench of Justice J.B. Pardiwala and Justice K.V. Viswanathan gave Bihar six weeks to clear the affected stretch between Nauzar Ghat and Nurpur Ghat in Patna.
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The direction covers every unauthorised structure, construction and encroachment identified in this stretch along the Ganga. The Bihar government has also been directed to file a compliance report through an affidavit by a competent authority before the next hearing. The Court made it clear that any laxity in carrying out its directions would be viewed strictly.
Other Courts’ Interim Orders Will Not Stop the Action
One of the most important parts of the Supreme Court’s direction concerns interim orders passed by other courts. The Court was informed that some interim orders had restrained authorities from proceeding with the removal of encroachments. However, the Supreme Court directed that its instructions must be fully followed irrespective of any such order that may be in operation.
This means Bihar authorities have been told to proceed with compliance with the Supreme Court’s latest direction.
Patna Ganga Encroachments Case: Court Unhappy Over Lack of Progress
The Supreme Court noted that despite its earlier directions, steps had not been taken to remove encroachments on the Nauzar Ghat-Nurpur Ghat stretch.
The issue has been before the Court for several years. An official Supreme Court order from December 2022 records that the concerned Union ministry had been working to identify possible unauthorised constructions on the Ganga floodplain using geo-mapping technology.
The Court has continued to examine the issue as part of the wider case concerning the protection of the Ganga and its floodplains.
What Happened to Encroachments Between Digha Ghat and Nauzar Ghat
The Supreme Court had earlier examined encroachments on another Patna stretch between Digha Ghat and Nauzar Ghat. On March 12, 2026, the Court was informed that 213 encroachments had been identified on this stretch.
Of these, only 58 had been removed, while 145 were still remaining at that time. Bihar had referred to interim orders passed by the High Court and district courts while explaining the delay. The Court was also informed about hundreds of alleged encroachments between Nauzar Ghat and Nurpur Ghat.
All States Get Final Chance to Submit Ganga Encroachment Details
The Supreme Court’s intervention is not limited to Bihar. The Court also expressed dissatisfaction over delays by States in providing information about encroachments along the Ganga. Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati informed the Court that some States had provided information, but it was not satisfactory to the Union government. Some States had reportedly not responded at all.
The Supreme Court therefore gave States one final opportunity to provide the required information to the Union. It warned that if any State failed to comply, the Court could summon the Chief Secretary of the defaulting State.
Which States Are Under the Supreme Court’s Ganga Review
Information had already been sought from nine States and Union Territories: Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, West Bengal, Bihar, NCT Delhi, Haryana, Jharkhand, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh. The Court has now also sought information from Himachal Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh.
According to the proceedings, the National Mission for Clean Ganga has highlighted encroachments along the banks and surrounding areas of the Ganga river system in these regions.
Why Is the Supreme Court Examining Ganga Encroachments
The present proceedings started from an appeal against a June 30, 2020 order of the National Green Tribunal (NGT). The NGT had dismissed a plea alleging encroachments along the Ganga because it found that the plea lacked sufficient material particulars about the alleged violations and violators. When the matter reached the Supreme Court, the scope of the proceedings became wider.
The Court began examining illegal encroachments along the Ganga, implementation of the River Ganga (Rejuvenation, Protection and Management) Authorities Order, 2016, and steps required to protect the river and its floodplains across different States.
Supreme Court Had Sought Updated Ganga Encroachment Data
Another major concern was the quality and age of information available to the Court. In March 2026, the Court found that a status report submitted by the National Mission for Clean Ganga relied on information from 2024 and therefore did not fully show the current situation.
The Union was asked to provide a comprehensive and updated report covering the current status of encroachments across Ganga basin States.
The Court also wanted details about implementation of the 2016 framework, problems affecting its implementation, measures proposed for freeing riverbanks and floodplains from encroachments, and the status of floodplain demarcation in individual States.
Supreme Court Also Stops Further Construction Near Yamuna in Vrindavan
The same proceedings also brought another river-related environmental issue before the Supreme Court. Two interlocutory applications raised allegations about construction activity that could affect the Yamuna River in Vrindavan, Mathura.
The Court described the issue raised before it as serious after being informed that the construction could eventually shrink the Yamuna’s river channel.
To protect the ecological flow of the river, the Court ordered maintenance of status quo and restrained further construction until the next hearing.
Notice was made returnable on September 23, 2026, and the Court sought a comprehensive report concerning the allegations.
Why Does the Patna Ganga Encroachment Case Matter
The latest direction puts a clear six-week deadline on the Bihar government for removing unauthorised structures and encroachments from the Nauzar Ghat-Nurpur Ghat stretch. More importantly, the case has developed beyond one part of Patna. The Supreme Court is examining the larger question of encroachments, riverbank protection and floodplain management across the Ganga basin.
The warning that Chief Secretaries could be summoned also signals that the Court expects States to provide updated information and comply with its directions.
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