The Supreme Court has given the Bihar government a final eight-week period to remove illegal structures along the Ganga floodplains between Nauzar Ghat and Nurpur Ghat. This order follows previous delays caused by monsoon flooding. Officials now face the threat of contempt proceedings if they fail to meet this new compliance deadline.
The Supreme Court of India has issued a firm directive to the Bihar administration, granting a final eight-week window to clear unauthorized structures and encroachments along the Ganga riverbanks in Patna. The specific stretch under scrutiny lies between Nauzar Ghat and Nurpur Ghat, an area the court has identified as ecologically fragile and prone to flood risks.
This latest order comes after the state government failed to complete the removal process within a previously granted six-week timeframe, which was ordered on July 21, 2026. During the court proceedings, Bihar state officials explained that severe monsoon flooding and significant water discharge from Nepal had created practical difficulties, preventing the planned demolition activities from proceeding as scheduled.
However, the bench, consisting of Justices JB Pardiwala and KV Viswanathan, rejected requests for further leniency. The court made it clear that after the current eight-week extension, no further time will be granted for remedial action. The judges warned that continued non-compliance could lead to the direct summoning of the state’s Chief Secretary and the initiation of contempt proceedings, underscoring the legal gravity of the situation.
To manage the process fairly, the court has established a procedure for individuals who claim legal rights to the affected properties. Anyone asserting ownership must submit formal representations to the relevant government authorities. These submissions are required to include official title deeds and valid construction sanctions. The court noted that claims lacking these specific documents will be considered void, allowing the demolition to continue without further legal obstacles.
The broader objective of this judicial intervention is the protection of the Ganga floodplain, a move rooted in a 2020 National Green Tribunal ruling. The area has faced significant pressure from permanent construction and land encroachment over recent years, which authorities and experts note can increase the severity of flooding in Patna during heavy rains. For the administration, the challenge lies in balancing the enforcement of these ecological safeguards with the need to resolve pending property disputes effectively within the strict eight-week window.