New Delhi

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has issued notices to several civic and administrative bodies in Delhi over allegations of unauthorised construction on the floodplain of the Yamuna River, observing that the issue involves serious concerns related to environmental compliance.

A Principal Bench of the Tribunal, headed by Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava along with Expert Member Dr A Senthil Vel, directed the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), the concerned District Magistrate, the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) and the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) to file their responses through affidavits.

The Tribunal specifically asked the District Magistrate to identify the individuals responsible for the alleged construction and to clarify whether the structure has indeed been erected on the Yamuna floodplain.

The case has been registered on the basis of a letter petition dated August 13, 2025, submitted by Rohit Tyagi, a resident of Wazirabad village, who complained of construction activity allegedly encroaching upon the river’s floodplain.

According to the petition, the disputed site falls within a designated green belt and is categorised as an ‘O’ Zone under the Master Plan of Delhi 2021, where construction activities are prohibited.

Taking note of the allegations, the Tribunal observed that the matter raises substantial environmental questions and warrants responses from the concerned authorities. The Registry has been instructed to serve notices to all respondents.

READ MORE: Why reviving Ganga-Jamuni culture is the need of the hour

The case has been listed for further hearing on April 20, 2026.