June 2026: Impact of Mining on River Infrastructures in Punjab, Haryana

June 19, 2026June 19, 2026 SANDRPLeave a comment

(Feature Image: The flood protection work around the pillars of already mining threatened Agampur bridge over the Sutlej river in Ropar district was damaged following discharges from Bhakra dam on June 15, 2026 night. Source: The Tribune)

This report attempts to document the impact of excessive mining activities on river infrastructure in Punjab and Haryana between 2023 and 2026. Our previous nationwide analysis on the subject can be seen here for 2023 and 2022.

Based on the available reports, at least three bridges have been impacted by riverbed mining operations in Punjab during past three years. This includes the Algran bridge on Swan river, which suffered severe damage during the 2023 floods. The bridge has remained shut since Dec. 2023 affecting connectivity for scores of villages.

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Urban Groundwater: NGT’s Struggle to Improve Governance in 2025

April 4, 2026 SANDRPLeave a comment

(Feature Image: Entry gate of NGT’s principal bench in New Delhi: Source: Bar & Bench)

This overview looks at how the judiciary particularly; the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has tried to address the urban groundwater depletion and governance crisis during 2025. Cases from Delhi, Gurugram, Faridabad and other cities indicate a common problem of weak regulation, poor coordination among concerned agencies and slow enforcement of court orders, allowing illegal groundwater extraction to continue. Many cases have been going on for years without clear results.

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Groundwater

Groundwater in India: Judiciary Failing to Resolve Governance Crisis in 2025?

April 3, 2026 SANDRPLeave a comment

(Feature Image: Illustration on deepening groundwater levels in India by Binay, Source: IWP)

This overview tracks the major judicial interventions concerning groundwater conservation and management in India during 2025, highlighting persistent failure to address the gaps in governance. The Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA) have been criticized for no real action, inadequate data, weak transparency and poor enforcement. The inefficiency of state-level groundwater authorities reflects a deeper systemic failure.

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Wetlands

WWD 2026: Top Ten Judicial Interventions to Protect Wetlands in India

February 3, 2026 SANDRP2 Comments

Marking the World Wetlands Day (WWD) 2026, this overview presents top ten interventions by judiciary to protect the wetlands in India during 2025 so far. Apart from this, there have been several wetlands protection related court cases going on across the country during the year and reports of some of the relevant matters can be seen here. The judiciary has also been pursuing cases pertaining to conservation of several Ramsar wetlands in the country as covered in the first part of the overview here.

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Wetlands

2024: Approach to Restore Bengaluru Lakes

March 11, 2025March 11, 2025 SANDRPLeave a comment

(Feature Image: -Doddakallasandra Lake on Kanakapura Road in Southern Bengaluru. Photo Credit: Murali Kumar K/ The Hindu/Jan. 2025)

The lakes in Bengaluru have often been in the news for the froth, fish kills, encroachments and pollution related issues and the year 2024 has been no different amid growing concerns and govt attempts to restore them. In fact, despite NGT orders and huge amount spent by the govt, the restoration works of Bellandur, Varthur, Yele Mallappa Shetty, Madiwala and Hosakerehalli lakes have not been completed.

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