The Supreme Court has extended the deadline for the Bihar government to clear all unauthorized structures and encroachments on the Ganga flood plains between Nauzar Ghat and Nurpur Ghat in Patna. The bench, composed of Justices J B Pardiwala and K V Viswanathan, originally granted the state six weeks to comply with its earlier directions.
Bihar’s Advocate General, S D Sanjay, informed the court on September 28 that the state had only partially met the order. He cited the recent natural disaster in Nepal, which raised the river level and submerged the entire stretch, making it difficult for authorities to proceed with the removal.
In response, the bench granted an additional eight‑week period, warning that failure to comply would lead to the summoning of the state’s chief secretary and other officials and could trigger contempt proceedings. The court also demanded a full compliance report after the eight weeks, stating that no further extensions would be granted.
The case stems from a petition challenging a 2020 National Green Tribunal order that dismissed a plea against illegal constructions on the eco‑fragile flood plains. The Supreme Court noted intervention applications from parties claiming ownership of the land, instructing them to provide title documents and any authorized building permits. The court emphasized that without such documentation, representations would not be considered, and it underscored the broader concern over illegal development along the Ganga banks.
