Delhi Metro | NGT slams DMRC on use of groundwater without permission
New Delhi: The National Green Tribunal on Wednesday directed Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) to stop the extraction of groundwater from borewells that are running illegally in Delhi.
The tribunal made it very clear to DMRC that they can only use water from those borewells for which it has permission. A bench headed by Justice Raghavendra S Rathore passed the order after it was informed that Delhi Metro had permission for only 164 borewells.
The green panel also directed DMRC to seek permission for water extraction through borewells from the Central Ground Water Authority and inform it after getting the requisite approvals.
Advocate Kush Sharma said that “the DMRC has installed illegal borewells right under the nose of authorities, but no action has been taken till date.”
Mr. Kush Kalra said that “the DMRC was extracting groundwater instead of using wastewater to wash its trains, resulting in depletion of the water table.”
It had contended that if any individual or authorities install a borewell without permission in his house or workplace, the authorities have every right to seal it in no time and slap a fine. DMRC has installed 276 borewells and no action has been taken till now.
If we pay attention to RTI reply, they had said DMRC"s water requirement was met through borewells and Delhi Jal Board (DJB) connections.
It also said that in order to draw water from the borewells, three to five horsepower pumps were used.
According to another RTI response received from the DJB said no permission was granted to the DMRC for digging borewells.
The tribunal made it very clear to DMRC that they can only use water from those borewells for which it has permission. A bench headed by Justice Raghavendra S Rathore passed the order after it was informed that Delhi Metro had permission for only 164 borewells.
The green panel also directed DMRC to seek permission for water extraction through borewells from the Central Ground Water Authority and inform it after getting the requisite approvals.
Advocate Kush Sharma said that “the DMRC has installed illegal borewells right under the nose of authorities, but no action has been taken till date.”
Mr. Kush Kalra said that “the DMRC was extracting groundwater instead of using wastewater to wash its trains, resulting in depletion of the water table.”
It had contended that if any individual or authorities install a borewell without permission in his house or workplace, the authorities have every right to seal it in no time and slap a fine. DMRC has installed 276 borewells and no action has been taken till now.
If we pay attention to RTI reply, they had said DMRC"s water requirement was met through borewells and Delhi Jal Board (DJB) connections.
It also said that in order to draw water from the borewells, three to five horsepower pumps were used.
"Groundwater after treatment as per requirement is used for train washing. Borewells have been provided in the depots from where water is sourced. Around 400 to 500 liters of groundwater is used for washing one metro train. The water, after washing of the metro train, is sent to the Effluent Treatment Plant (ETP). The treated water is then used for gardening and the excess sent to drains," the RTI reply had revealed.
According to another RTI response received from the DJB said no permission was granted to the DMRC for digging borewells.
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