High Court Crackdown: Encroachment on Historic Motihari Canal Sparks Urgent Action

Brief By Newsbrief / 3:18 PM on 04 May 2026

The Patna High Court has taken a serious view of encroachments along a British-era canal in Motihari that connects Motijheel to the Budhi Gandak river at Ramrekha Ghat, Simra. Hearing a public interest litigation, a bench led by Chief Justice Sangam Kumar Sahu directed the East Champaran District Magistrate to submit a detailed affidavit in the next hearing. The court also ordered that the Motihari Municipal Corporation be made a party to the case.

The canal, stretching about 11 kilometres, is considered the lifeline of Motihari city as it supports drinking water supply and plays a crucial role in flood management. The petitioner’s counsel informed the court that despite multiple meetings and a committee formed for investigation, no detailed report has been submitted so far.

The court has scheduled the next hearing after the summer vacation, keeping the matter under close scrutiny.