Court notes depletion of groundwater, shrinking water bodies, blocked channels and poor use of rainwater and treated sewage water; directs officials and departments to appear and assist with concrete solutions.
The Punjab and Haryana High Court has expressed serious concern over the worsening water crisis in Gurugram, observing that the city continues to face a persistent shortage of potable water due to years of indiscriminate borewell use, depletion of groundwater, shrinking natural water bodies and blocked feeder channels.
A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Ashwani Kumar Mishra and Justice Rohit Kapoor was hearing a batch of connected writ petitions relating to environmental concerns and water scarcity in Gurugram. The Court noted that despite repeated attention to the issue, the situation remained grim, especially with rapid urbanization and population growth in the region.
The Bench observed that severe waterlogging during the monsoon season is also a recurring problem in Gurugram, yet the accumulated rainwater is not being effectively used to recharge groundwater. The Court further pointed out that treated sewage water is also not being optimally utilized, indicating a broader failure in water management and conservation efforts.
Emphasizing the need for urgent and coordinated action, the Court said that unless appropriate and effective measures are pursued aggressively, the crisis is likely to continue and worsen in the future.
During the hearing, the Court noted that affidavits had already been filed by various parties from time to time. After hearing the counsel at length, the Bench directed all lawyers appearing in the matter to submit their written suggestions on remedial measures to the Bench Secretary by September 28, 2026. Copies of these suggestions are also to be shared with the State counsel.
The Court further directed the State counsel to obtain specific instructions from the Deputy Commissioner, Gurugram, and the heads of all concerned departments. The matter has been listed for October 1, 2026, by which time the Deputy Commissioner, Gurugram, along with the relevant departmental heads, must join the proceedings through video conferencing.
The Chief Engineer of the Municipal Corporation, Gurugram, and officers in charge of the Haryana Shehri Vikas Pradhikaran and the Gurugram Metropolitan Development Authority have also been directed to remain present through video conferencing on the next date of hearing.
The order reflects the High Court’s continuing supervisory role in environmental governance and its concern over sustainable water management in one of Haryana’s fastest-growing urban centres.
Bottom Line :
Environmental protection and water management - High Court, while dealing with connected writ petitions concerning Gurugram water crisis, noted persistent scarcity of potable water due to indiscriminate use of borewells, depletion of groundwater, diminishing natural water bodies, blocked water channels, waterlogging during monsoon and ineffective utilization of rainwater and treated sewage water - Court called for written suggestions on remedial measures and directed presence of Deputy Commissioner, Gurugram and heads of concerned departments.
Statutory provision(s): Article 226 of the Constitution of India, 1950
