NGT fines Agra builders, colonies Rs 1.41crore for polluting Yamuna

AGRA: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has slapped a fine of Rs 1.41 crore on nine colonies and three builders here for polluting Yamuna river.

According to Agra Development Authority (ADA) secretary Prabhanshu Srivastava, NGT gave the order for collecting Rs 1.41 crore as penalty during a hearing yesterday.

It also ordered ADA to lay a pipeline to the sewage treatment plant at Jaganpur and said that the fine amount was to be utilised for that purpose.

The colonies and multi-storeyed buildings were found to be discharging sewage directly into the river via a pipeline.

The order in the case came upon a petition by environmentalist DK Joshi who said he had wanted to draw NGT's attention to the alleged uncontrolled construction on the river's floodplains in violation of existing legal provisions.

The next hearing in the matter was fixed for October 12.