File Photo: A rag-picker inspects the waste in the Yamuna river. (Representational Image - PTI Photo)
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has slapped a fine of Rs 1.41 crore on nine colonies and three builders in Agra for polluting Yamuna river.
According to Agra Development Authority (ADA) secretary Prabhanshu Srivastava, NGT gave the order for collecting Rs 1.41 crore as penalty during a hearing yesterday.
The fine amount would be used to lay a pipeline to the sewage treatment plant at Jaganpur, said the secretary.
The colonies and multi-storeyed buildings were found to be discharging sewage directly into the river via a pipeline.
The order in the case came upon a petition by environmentalist DK Joshi who said he had wanted to draw NGT's attention to the uncontrolled construction on the river's floodplains in violation of existing legal provisions.
The next hearing in the matter was fixed for October 12.