The Supreme Court on Tuesday closed its ongoing suo motu proceedings concerning river pollution and directed the National Green Tribunal (NGT) to resume and continue monitoring compliance with environmental laws.

The Bench of Chief Justice of India, Justice Surya Kant, and Justice Joymalya Bagchi observed that multiple parallel proceedings had created “uncertainty, overlapping and confusion,” emphasising that statutory environmental oversight must primarily remain with the NGT.

“We are satisfied that this is the high time that these suo motu proceedings should be closed and the proceedings which were pending before the Tribunal and which have been seemingly closed be allowed to be reopened,” the Court said.

The Court noted that although extensive directions had been issued over the years, particularly concerning the Yamuna and other polluted rivers, implementation and monitoring must now be undertaken by the NGT in a structured and continuous manner.

The Court stressed that merely issuing directions does not conclude responsibility:

“The responsibility of the Tribunal does not come to an end merely by issuing its directions… This has to be an ongoing process.”

Accordingly, the Supreme Court granted liberty to original applicants and intervenors to approach and assist the NGT. It also clarified that the Tribunal would be free to modify earlier directions issued by the Supreme Court, obtain updated compliance status reports from Central and State Pollution Control Boards, and pass fresh directions based on prevailing conditions.

Addressing concerns about delay and non-compliance since 2020–21, the Bench acknowledged that “much water has flown” since earlier orders and emphasised that river remediation is a continuous mandate requiring sustained monitoring.

With these observations, the Court formally closed the suo motu proceedings, restoring the primary oversight role to the NGT.