Stop constructing bridge along Yamuna in Mathura: HC

The Allahabad High Court has stayed the construction of a bridge along the river Yamuna at Vrindaban in Mathura, saying it was "in gross violation of Indian Archaeological Act as well as Environment (Protection) Act. 

The order was passed by a Division Bench comprising justice VM Sahai and justice VK Dixit on a Public Interest Litigation filed by one Madhu Mangal Shukla.

In the interim order on January 21, the court also stayed all "illegal constructions on the land which falls between the Ghats and river Yamuna on both sides of Vrindavan" besides ordering that dumping of garbage in the river or at its banks be stopped.

The court took a strong note of the fact that construction of the bridge was allowed "without permission from the Supreme Court" despite the fact that Vrindavan fell under "the Taj Trapezium Zone".

Fixing February 23 as the next date of hearing, the court directed the Centre and the Uttar Pradesh governments to file their replies.

The PIL alleged the river's banks in Vrindavan were being encroached because of illegal constructions with tacit approval from authorities.