NGT committee to assess groundwater recharge methodology Delhi government uses

NEW DELHI: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) constituted a committee and directed it to take groundwater samples and assess the methodology used in recharging it. The directions came post a plea moved by Mahesh Chandra Saxena, a city resident, which alleged that steps undertaken to recharge groundwater by the government agencies were “unscientific” and are contaminating the water source.

The NGT formed committee comprise of officials from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) and the Central Ground Water Board (CGWB). A bench headed by Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel, NGT Chairperson, directed the committee to furnish the report within a month.

While noting the allegations in the plea, the bench observed, “Grievance in the application is that groundwater recharge by the Delhi Jal Board (DJB), Delhi Development Authority (DDA), Public Works Department (PWD), New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) and the South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC), through rainwater harvesting structures, is not scientific and is resulting in contamination of groundwater.”

The bench said that the DPCC will be the nodal agency for the compliance and coordination of the orders.

Earlier, the tribunal imposed a fine of ₹5 lakh each on educational institutions operating in Delhi for failing to install rainwater harvesting systems within the given time frame.