Over 250 illegal structures already identified
*Riverfront Project ensures strong flood defense: Admn
Mohinder Verma
JAMMU, Nov 9: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed the Deputy Commissioner (DC) Jammu to file a detailed affidavit within four weeks, specifying the steps taken to remove large-scale encroachments on the floodplain of River Tawi, which have been flagged as a major environmental concern in an ongoing case regarding the Tawi Barrage and Riverfront Development Projects.
Follow the Daily Excelsior channel on WhatsApp
The directive was issued by the NGT’s Principal Bench comprising Justice Prakash Shrivastava (Chairperson) and Dr Afroz Ahmad (Expert Member), during the hearing of Original Application arising from a news report titled “Tawi Barrage & Riverfront Projects in Jammu destroying river, Inviting disaster”.
During the proceedings, counsel for the Deputy Commissioner, Jammu submitted that an affidavit dated November 3, 2025, had been filed, enclosing a comprehensive list of encroachers occupying land along the Tawi river. The list running into hundreds of names pertains to two Khasras situated in village Jammu Khas, where large tracts of State land forming part of the river’s floodplain have been illegally occupied.
The NGT noted that although the affidavit referred to “encroachers on Tawi land,” the Deputy Commissioner’s counsel clarified that the encroachments were actually on the river’s floodplain, posing ecological and safety risks.
Taking a serious view of the matter, the National Green Tribunal directed the DC to file a fresh affidavit within four weeks, giving a clear account of the steps taken to remove the encroachments and actions initiated under law against violators.
The Jammu Development Authority (JDA), which is responsible for maintaining stretches along the river, informed the Tribunal that it had filed its reply on November 2, 2025. The NGT directed its registry to scrutinize and place the same on record if found free from defects.
The affidavit submitted by the Deputy Commissioner’s office supported by records from the Tehsildar Jammu (Assistant Collector First Class) details notices served to more than 250 individuals illegally occupying State land within the river’s active floodplain at Nikki Tawi.
The notice explicitly directs the encroachers to vacate the occupied land within 15 days, failing which legal proceedings as warranted under law would be initiated.
The encroachers include a large number of residential and commercial occupants, many of whom have erected semi-permanent or pucca structures on State land along both banks of the river, severely restricting the river’s natural flow and reducing its flood-carrying capacity.
Environmental experts have repeatedly warned that the Tawi river, often referred to as the lifeline of Jammu, has been choked by rampant encroachment and unregulated urban development. The floodplain, meant to serve as a natural buffer during high discharge periods, has been systematically converted for residential and commercial use, increasing the risk of urban flooding and loss of ecological balance.
During the NGT hearing, counsel for the DC Jammu informed the Bench that a series of orders have also been passed by the High Court of Jammu and Kashmir in related matters concerning river protection and anti-encroachment drives. The Tribunal granted the DC four weeks’ time to place these High Court orders on record for comprehensive consideration.
The NGT has listed the matter for further hearing on January 28, 2026, when both the UT administration and the Jammu Development Authority are expected to submit updated compliance reports detailing tangible progress on ground.
Regarding the concerns that Tawi Riverfront Project, if not aligned with environmental safeguards, could further aggravate the problem by altering the river’s natural hydrology and causing downstream impacts, the Deputy Commissioner, in the affidavit, has mentioned: “The project is providing a robust flood protection mechanism to the areas in its vicinity”.
“The recent floods of August 2025 provided a significant test for the Tawi Riverfront Project. Despite the severe impact of the floods on surrounding areas, the project infrastructure performed admirably protecting the city areas within its reach”, he said, adding “the project’s ability to withstand the floodwaters and safeguard areas like Warehouse, Belicharana, Gandhi Nagar, Talab Tillo, Bhagwati Nagar etc is a testament to its robust design and effective implementation”.
“By protecting the city from floods, the project has ensured the safety of lives and property while also preventing damage to infrastructure”, the Deputy Commissioner said.
Follow our WhatsApp channel
