The Ghaziabad district magistrate, Ravindra Kumar Mandar, has directed officials to launch a coordinated drive to identify and remove encroachments along the Hindon River. The directive was issued during a meeting with officials from the Loni SDM’s office, the irrigation department, the Ghaziabad Development Authority (GDA), and municipal bodies.
Background: NGT report on unauthorised colonies
The move comes days after the Uttar Pradesh government informed the National Green Tribunal (NGT) that 258 unauthorised colonies in Ghaziabad were discharging untreated sewage daily into the Hindon. In an affidavit filed on April 28, state chief secretary Shashi Prakash Goyal stated that a total of 888 unauthorised colonies across six districts—30% of them in Ghaziabad—release nearly 40 million litres of sewage into the river every day. The affidavit was submitted in compliance with an NGT order dated December 9 last year.
Sewage and storm drains
The affidavit also highlighted 51 open storm drains in the Hindon basin, which carry an estimated 1,067 million litres per day of water, sludge, industrial discharge, and sewage into the river and its tributaries. The colonies, housing a population of over 3.8 lakh, are unauthorised and lack planned drainage infrastructure. Most sewage flows into open or stormwater drains before reaching the river.
Anti-encroachment drive details
At Friday’s meeting, Mandar reviewed the status of encroachments along the riverbanks and original riverbed land of both the Yamuna and Hindon. Teams have been instructed to cross-reference revenue records, irrigation data, and maps against ground conditions to pinpoint illegal occupations. “Effective action must be taken against illegal occupations on riverbed land in accordance with rules. No form of illegal construction or encroachment in river areas will be tolerated,” he said.
Karhera, Ator-Nagla, and Kanawani have consistently been identified as among the most heavily encroached stretches of the Hindon floodplain in the district. However, enforcement has so far been piecemeal. A large-scale anti-encroachment drive along the riverbank awaits the completion of floodplain demarcation.
Environmental conservation campaign
Mandar also ordered a special campaign for environmental conservation and rejuvenation of the two rivers, calling them crucial to the region’s ecological balance. Officials have been directed to submit regular progress reports to the district administration. Clearing encroachments from river areas is among the government’s priorities, the DM said, adding that unimpeded river flow is essential to containing flood risk ahead of the monsoon. “Obstruction to the natural flow of rivers increases the possibility of economic losses and danger to residents during monsoon-related disasters, making it necessary to remove encroachments on priority,” he added.
