"Mere Passing Orders Not Enough": Supreme Court Closes River Pollution Case, Asks NGT to Oversee Progress

The Supreme Court closed its 2021 suo-motu proceedings on river pollution, holding that the National Green Tribunal (NGT) should ensure continuous monitoring.

The Court observed that despite numerous orders, cleaning rivers remains a firm challenge as implementation often fails to meet expectations.

The Court observed that the NGT, as a specialised environmental tribunal, is better equipped to oversee compliance and sewage treatment. The Bench further held that parallel proceedings in multiple forums can create confusion and hinder uniformity.

The Court directed the CPCB and other relevant authorities to submit regular status reports to the NGT to ensure proper implementation of environmental laws and standards.