New Delhi, Jul 21 The National Green Tribunal has slammed the Delhi Jal Board for its failure to stop the illegal extraction of groundwater by hotels and guest houses in Paharganj here, noting that around 393 establishments are still drawing water without mandatory digital meters.
The green body is considering the issue of illegal extraction of groundwater by hotels, guest houses and commercial establishments operating in Central Delhi’s Paharganj.
In a July 17 order, made available on Tuesday, a bench of NGT Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava and expert member Afroz Ahmad noting a DJB reply said, "In the last more than three months, only in 162 establishments piezometers (digital water meters) have been installed and the remaining 393 out of 555 are still extracting groundwater without any measurement of quantity and without installing the piezometer."
The bench noted that the reply failed to disclose whether notices had been issued to all defaulting establishments.
"In such circumstances, we are of the view that DJB has failed to take prompt action in the matter," the tribunal said.
It, however, granted the DJB a four-week extension to file a fresh compliance report showing "expeditious action." The matter has been listed for further proceedings on September 3.
The tribunal had earlier issued several directions after noting that scores of establishments have allegedly been drawing groundwater illegally for decades without paying any charges or being subject to regulation.
