The National Green Tribunal (NGT) expressed strong displeasure over the administration’s failure to maintain the cleanliness of the Ganga in Varanasi. In a scathing rebuke, the tribunal even suggested that a board be put up on the banks of the river, stating that Ganga water in the city is not safe for bathing.

The reprimand came during a hearing regarding the slow progress of the restoration of Asi and Varuna, two important tributaries of the Ganges. The NGT bench, led by Justice Arun Kumar Tyagi and Dr. A Santhil Vel, asked Varanasi District Magistrate (DM) S Rajlingam whether the water of the Ganga in Varanasi was fit for drinking or bathing.

When the DM remained silent, the tribunal remarked sharply, “If this is the case, why not place boards along the riverbank stating that the Ganga water in Varanasi is not suitable for bathing or drinking?” In response, DM Rajlingam said, “It’s not within my jurisdiction. The District Magistrate acts in accordance with government directives.”

The NGT bench, unimpressed by the DM’s reply, reminded him of the considerable power vested in his office, urging him not to appear “helpless” in the face of the situation. The tribunal then directed the government’s advocate to submit an affidavit detailing the current status of the restoration of Asi and Varuna and the condition of the Ganga by the next hearing, which is scheduled for December 13.

This marks the second time in recent months that the NGT has expressed its dissatisfaction with the Varanasi administration’s efforts. Three months ago, the tribunal imposed a fine of Rs 10,000 on the DM for failing to comply with its orders concerning the Ganga’s restoration.

During the hearing, petitioner Saurabh Tiwari highlighted that despite repeated meetings and official discussions, no tangible progress had been made on the ground in terms of cleaning the Ganga and restoring the tributaries. The NGT was informed that the restoration of the Asi and Varuna rivers was moving at a slow pace, with 40 meetings having taken place, but no visible work was evident.

The bench questioned DM Rajlingam about his efforts since taking office in Varanasi in November 2022 and asked what measures had been implemented during his tenure. The tribunal also noted that the renovation of the tributaries was meant to be completed within a 12-month deadline, set by the NGT in 2021. However, more than 33 months have passed, and the situation remains largely unchanged.

The government’s lawyer, Bhanwar Pal Jadoun, presented the state’s efforts, including the Pollution Control Board’s initiatives to clean the Ganga. However, the bench found the explanations unsatisfactory, emphasizing the need for concrete actions.

The petition, filed on August 4, 2024, highlighted the slow progress of the restoration work for Asi and Varuna. The NGT had originally set a five-year deadline for the completion of the restoration in 2021, but after over three years, little on-the-ground action has been seen.

The restoration process officially began after a meeting of the Supervisory and Execution Committees in November 2021, but as per the petitioner, the project remains confined to bureaucratic processes, with no substantial work visible in the river areas.

As the December 13 hearing approaches, all eyes are now on the state government and district administration to provide accountability for the lack of progress and to step up efforts to restore the Ganga and its tributaries, which are crucial for the ecological balance of the region.