Times News NetworkKanpur: The National Green Tribunal (NGT), Principal Bench, New Delhi, has disposed of a matter concerning obstruction in the natural flow of Ganga due to the collapse of an old bridge at Ganga Ghat, Municipal Council Ganga Ghat, District Unnao, after noting that remedial action for removal of debris has been completed.The matter was heard by a bench comprising Justice Prakash Srivastava, chairperson, and Afroz Ahmad, expert member.The original application was registered on the basis of a letter-petition submitted by Sandeep Pandey, who had raised concerns that a large portion of an old bridge over Ganga had collapsed and the remaining structure and debris were obstructing the natural flow of the river, posing risks to boat operators, pilgrims and the surrounding environment.The tribunal had earlier impleaded the concerned authorities, who submitted reports regarding the remedial measures taken.The National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) informed the tribunal that, as per the report received from the district magistrate, Unnao, the obstruction caused by the collapsed bridge had been removed.The subsequent reports submitted by NMCG and the DM, Unnao, disclosed that:The debris deposited in Ganga due to the collapse of the old railway bridge span had been completely removed.The obstruction in the river channel had been cleared and the natural flow of the Ganga was no longer affected.Site inspections and verification reports confirmed that no part of the collapsed British-era railway bridge remained visible in the river waterway.The tribunal noted that the grievance raised in the application had been addressed and the river flow had been restored.However, during the hearing, counsel for the applicant referred to photographs placed on record and submitted that construction of a new bridge appeared to be underway. It was submitted that it was not clear whether the required permission under the River Ganga (Rejuvenation, Protection and Management) Authorities Order, 2016 had been obtained.While disposing of the application, the tribunal directed the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) to examine whether the new bridge construction complies with the provisions of the River Ganga (Rejuvenation, Protection and Management) Authorities Order, 2016, and submit a report before the Registrar General of the Tribunal within two months.
