8-Week Deadline: Supreme Court Issues Final Warning to Bihar Government Over Ganga Encroachments

Brief By Newsbrief / 1:52 PM on 03 Oct 2026

The Supreme Court has given the Bihar government eight weeks to remove all unauthorised structures and encroachments from the Ganga floodplain between Nauzar Ghat and Nurpur Ghat in Patna. The court made clear that no further extension would be granted after the deadline.

A bench of Justices J.B. Pardiwala and K.V. Viswanathan warned that the Bihar Chief Secretary and other concerned officials could be summoned if the order is not fully implemented. The court also indicated that contempt proceedings could follow.

The Bihar government had earlier been given six weeks to remove the encroachments, but during the September 28 hearing, the state’s Advocate General said the order had only been partially implemented. The government cited rising Ganga water levels following a natural disaster in Nepal as one difficulty.

The court directed the government to submit a complete compliance report after eight weeks. People claiming ownership of disputed properties may approach the competent authority with valid land and construction documents.