The National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Wednesday directed 13 polluting industries situated along tributary or major drain of the Ganga river to be shut down. The tribunal bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar gave directions following a report by a high-level committee that inspected the 13 industries dealing in various products, including chemicals and a power plant.

According to the report, the team inspected the industries along the Gajrola and Babrala drain with source from Bagad river in the Upper Ganga region in Uttar Pradesh. The drains further meet the Ganga. "These industries were the primary source of pollution of Bagad drain, which was found dry at places and contained very high pollutants at certain stretches," the bench said.